The United States has “shot down” seven small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday according to President Donald Trump after American ships and vessels were targeted by the Iranian regime.
Trump added that there was “no damage” due to the strikes, other than to a South Korean vessel.
Coronado-based aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, continues to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports in the strait as Iran and the U.S. try to figure out an end to the war.
According to U.S. Central Command (CentCom), Iranian state media falsely claimed that a U.S. warship was hit with two missiles.
“No U.S. Navy ships have been struck,” Centcom reported. “U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”
Project Freedom was launched over the weekend in order to help navigation of commercial ships through the strait.
The mission “will support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor,” said the press release from CentCom.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CentCom commander.
The Lincoln is working alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS George W. Bush. Three aircraft carriers have not worked together in the Middle East in the last three decades, according to CentCom.
American forces have directed 50 ships to turn around, or return to port, as of May 4.
All three ships include over 200 aircraft and 15,000 sailors and marines.
