Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer that it accused of harassing Iranian vessels, marking another sharp escalation in the confrontation between Tehran and Washington in the region.

The IRGC said the US warships were targeted after what it described as hostile actions against Iranian ships. Iranian officials claimed the vessels were forced to withdraw from the area following the missile launches. However, the claims of damage to the American warships have not been independently verified. 

IRGC says US warships were targeted

According to the IRGC's account, its forces launched several ballistic missiles against a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer. Iranian state-linked reports described the operation as a response to the presence and activities of American warships near Iranian maritime routes.

The IRGC accused the US vessels of harassing Iranian ships and said the missile attack was intended to push them away from the area. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also warned that further attacks could follow if American forces continued what Tehran considers interference with Iranian shipping. 

US says ships evaded the attack

The US military has given a significantly different account of the incident.

According to the US Central Command's account, an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks. The US military said there were no reported American casualties.

The contrasting accounts mean that the IRGC's claim that the warships were struck or damaged should be treated as an Iranian assertion unless independently confirmed. 

Escalation follows US tanker strikes

The latest missile claims came shortly after the United States announced strikes against three Iranian crude oil tankers.

US Central Command said the strikes were carried out after Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward two US Navy warships. Washington said the targeted tankers were connected to a network that financially supports Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

The US military said two of the tankers were disabled while a third vessel was destroyed. The developments have created a rapidly escalating cycle involving military vessels, commercial shipping and Iran's oil trade. 

Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint

The confrontation is unfolding around one of the world's most strategically important maritime regions. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, making any military confrontation involving Iranian and American vessels a potential threat to commercial shipping and energy markets.

Iran has repeatedly warned vessels operating in waters it considers subject to its restrictions, while the US has increased military pressure on Iranian maritime and oil assets.

The latest exchange therefore carries implications beyond the two countries, particularly for international shipping and crude oil supplies.

Claims of damage remain unverified

Iranian reports have claimed that the American warships were hit and forced to withdraw, but available US accounts do not support those claims.

The US military has said its vessels avoided the Iranian missile attacks and that no American personnel were injured. Independent confirmation of damage to the carrier or destroyer was not immediately available in the latest reports.

The competing narratives underline the rapidly deteriorating security situation between Washington and Tehran. With military vessels and oil tankers now directly involved, further incidents could increase the risk of a broader confrontation across the Gulf and surrounding waterways.

Tehran escalates rhetoric after fresh military exchanges in the Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the United States, stating that any threat to security in the Strait of Hormuz will come at a “heavy price.” The statement follows a night of direct military exchanges, including Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked sites in Kuwait and Bahrain.

According to officials, the latest flare-up began after US forces conducted what they described as self-defence strikes on a communications tower on Iran’s Qeshm Island. In response, Iran launched multiple waves of missiles and drones toward American military installations in the region.

IRGC spokesperson’s firm message

Ibrahim al Fiqar, an IRGC spokesperson, posted on X that Iran had delivered on earlier warnings of a “different and more forceful response.” He described the recent actions as a lesson for potential aggressors. “We reiterate that any threat to the security of the Strait of Hormuz will cost the aggressor U.S. military a heavy price,” he added.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of global oil passes, remains at the centre of rising tensions. Any prolonged disruption here could send energy prices spiralling further.

US forces intercept attacks

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American and Bahraini air defence systems successfully intercepted most of the Iranian projectiles aimed at Kuwait and Bahrain. No American casualties or major damage were reported. CENTCOM described its own strike on Qeshm Island as a measured response to Iranian aggression.

Initial reports indicate that Iranian missiles also targeted areas near US naval assets, though claims of direct hits on the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain were rejected by Washington as false.

Oil prices surge amid uncertainty

Crude oil prices jumped more than one percent in early Asian trading on Wednesday. Brent crude rose to around $97 per barrel while WTI climbed near $95. Market analysts linked the spike directly to fears over potential closure or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.

The fresh clashes come even as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear to continue, despite public posturing. President Donald Trump earlier dismissed reports of a breakdown in communications, calling them “fake news.”

Wider regional fallout

The Hormuz tensions are part of a broader conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and spillover effects across the Gulf. Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, including the port city of Tyre, even after claims of de-escalation. Meanwhile, Japan approved a $19 billion supplementary budget to cushion its economy from rising energy and commodity costs triggered by the Middle East crisis.

Local observers in Gulf capitals report heightened alert levels at military bases and increased naval patrols near key shipping lanes. Shipping companies have begun rerouting some vessels, adding to global supply chain concerns.

Questions over de-escalation prospects

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that Iran must stop actions in the Strait and reopen it fully for normal traffic. He described Tehran’s behaviour as “unlawful and illegal,” noting that the international community stands united against it.

Iran, for its part, insists its actions are retaliatory and aimed at defending its territorial waters and sovereignty. The IRGC has also claimed responses to US strikes on Iranian oil tankers near the strait.

As of Wednesday morning, the situation remains fluid. Diplomatic channels are reportedly still active, though both sides continue military posturing. Any further escalation in the Strait of Hormuz could have severe consequences for global energy security and push oil prices well above the $100 mark.

Analysts say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the latest exchanges lead to a dangerous cycle or create space for renewed talks.