Official Iranian Reports: Clashes Between Iranian and American Forces in the Strait of Hormuz

Official Iranian reports early Wednesday morning reported clashes and an exchange of fire in various areas of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf between Iranian forces and the US military.

The Mehr News Agency reported that an exchange of fire occurred in the waters of the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz, and that the sound of explosions was heard in the maritime area of Hormozgan, explaining that sounds of explosions heard east of Sirik were linked to an exchange of fire and clashes.

The Tasnim News Agency had reported that the US military targeted the islands of Qeshm and Hengam, in addition to targeting the city of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province in southern Iran.

Concurrently, official Iranian television quoted a military commander as saying that the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened through US military pressure or military strikes.

Tehran closed the strait again after renewed combat operations last week, further undermining the fragile truce reached in June after several months of fighting.

America announced the re-imposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and ships, while US President Donald Trump threatened to continue and escalate strikes on Iran in the following days.

For its part, the US Central Command said that "over the past seven days, Iran deliberately targeted civilians across the region by attacking 7 commercial ships, resulting in the death, loss, or injury of nearly 12 of their civilian crew members."

Centcom added, in a statement, that "Iranian forces launched dozens of missiles and drones towards neighboring Gulf states. US forces hold Iran responsible for this unjustified aggression, which continues to endanger innocent lives."