WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump announced that three US Navy destroyers have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite what he described as an attack by Iranian forces that caused no American casualties or damage.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the destroyers were attacked by Iran but emerged unscathed. “These ships were also attacked by Iran, but they were not harmed,” he wrote.
According to the president, Iranian forces suffered significant losses in the exchange. He claimed that “the Iranians who attacked suffered a lot of damage” and that “the attacking small boats were destroyed” and “sunk in the sea.”
Trump further stated that missiles were fired at the US destroyers but were “easily shot down,” and that drones sent toward the American ships were also “shot down in the air.”
“The Iranian drones fell into the sea like butterflies,” Trump said. He added that “if there was a normal country, the destroyers would have allowed the ships to pass, but Iran is not a normal country.”
The president characterized Iran’s leadership as being “in the hands of fanatics,” warning that “if fanatics had the opportunity to use nuclear weapons, they would have used them.” He declared that “now Iran will not have the opportunity to make nuclear weapons.”
Trump concluded with a fresh warning: “We have knocked out Iran today. If they do not sign the deal, we will knock it out even harder. Iran should hurry up.”
There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials regarding Trump’s claims. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high over nuclear programs and regional military activity.
