Iranian forces launched a coordinated attack on three American destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, firing missiles, drones, and deploying fast attack boats in what President Donald Trump described as a failed assault that ended with Iranian attackers completely destroyed and their military installations struck in devastating retaliation.

Destroyers Under Fire Transit Successfully

The USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason came under what U.S. Central Command called unprovoked Iranian attacks while moving through the strategic waterway toward the Gulf of Oman. American forces intercepted all incoming threats, eliminating hostile missiles and drones before any damage occurred to the vessels. The destroyers completed their transit and rejoined the naval blockade Trump has described as a wall of steel around the region.

Trump confirmed the Iranian attackers were completely destroyed, noting that numerous small boats Tehran has increasingly relied upon following the dismantling of its traditional navy now rest at the bottom of the sea. American forces knocked down missiles easily while incinerating hostile drones in midair, the president said in a Truth Social post.

Retaliatory Strikes Hit Iranian Military Sites

U.S. Central Command conducted immediate self-defense strikes targeting Iranian military installations responsible for the assault. American forces destroyed missile and drone launch positions, command-and-control facilities, and intelligence nodes at multiple locations. Fox News reported the strikes hit Qeshm Port and Bandar Abbas before expanding to the Bandar Kargan naval checkpoint in Minab.

Trump Issues Stark Warning to Tehran

The president characterized the retaliatory strikes as just a love tap while warning Iranian leadership to sign a broader framework deal quickly or face far more severe military action. Trump blasted Tehran’s leaders as lunatics who would use nuclear weapons without question if given the opportunity, adding they will never have that chance. He insisted the ceasefire remains in effect despite the exchange of fire, rejecting suggestions the truce had collapsed. The confrontation occurred as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to its latest proposed framework agreement after pausing defensive maritime operations citing progress toward a complete and final deal with Iran.