American and Iranian ships clashed overnight in the Strait of Hormuz. During the brief but fierce encounter, the sides exchanged a series of strikes. According to CBS, the situation reached the point where sailors on American ships had to fight off Iranian forces with small arms.

Satellite data from NASA’s FIRMS system now shows a chain of fires in the area of the Strait of Hormuz where the US fleet fought Iranian ships. Another large fire source is visible about 30 kilometers west of Iran’s Larak Island.

Experts had repeatedly warned earlier that naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, especially escort missions, are extremely dangerous. During the hot phase, it had already been noted that any ships entering the strait from the Gulf of Oman could become easy targets for Iran. Now, as claimed, that is exactly what happened.

The US military decided to attack Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas. In addition, three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers — USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta and USS Mason — entered the strait. As a result, these ships became the target of a pre-planned operation. Iran used anti-ship missiles, drones and fast boats against them.

CBS reported that for several hours, American warships and supporting aircraft built a layered defense. Fire was conducted from naval guns and close-in weapon systems. Crews of small-caliber guns worked on the decks, firing at attacking boats. US Apache helicopters used Hellfire missiles, while 12.7 mm machine guns were fired from the ships' decks.

After the battle, US Central Command said the attack by Iranian forces had been repelled. Washington also said US forces struck missile and drone launchers, command posts and intelligence nodes. At the same time, the United States claims that its ships were not damaged.

Tehran said the operation against the American military fleet was a response to US attacks on additional Iranian tankers. According to the Iranian side, one of them was moving from coastal waters toward the Strait of Hormuz, while the other was entering it.

Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Military Command Headquarters, said the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a rapid counterattack and engaged American warships east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of the port of Bandar Chabahar.

According to Iran’s assessment, US Navy ships sustained serious damage and left the Strait of Hormuz.