Two U.S. Navy destroyers sailed through one of the world’s most dangerous waterways Monday while under what officials described as a “sustained barrage” from Iranian forces, escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and pushing the fragile ceasefire closer to collapse.

The guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason reportedly faced waves of drones, missiles and fast attack boats during the operation. Backed by fighter aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters, the U.S. vessels managed to intercept or deter every threat without taking direct hits.

The confrontation unfolded as President Donald Trump’s newly launched “Project Freedom” mission began escorting and protecting commercial shipping through the strategically critical strait.

US Warships Targeted During Strait Transit

According to reports, the USS Truxtun and USS Mason came under heavy Iranian pressure while navigating the narrow waterway Monday morning.

Officials described the assault as a “sustained barrage,” involving small boats, drones and missile threats. Despite the aggressive encounter, U.S. forces successfully prevented damage to either destroyer.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed that American military assets remain heavily deployed throughout the region to defend shipping lanes and deter further attacks.

“Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft are among more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft supporting Project Freedom,” CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.

“During the defensive operation, these advanced warfighting platforms are helping to protect U.S. forces and defend commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said.

US Military Signals Readiness For Wider Conflict

Senior U.S. officials warned Monday that Washington may be approaching a return to full-scale military operations against Iran.

“We are closer to the resumption of major combat operations than we were 24 hours ago after Iran fired on US vessels and targeted UAE today with missiles and drones and fast boats,” senior officials told Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin.

Still, officials emphasized that no formal order has been issued to resume bombing campaigns or terminate the ceasefire agreement.

The military, however, appears fully prepared for rapid escalation.

“The commanders on scene have all the authorities they need to protect themselves and commercial shipping,” according to one well-placed U.S. defense official.

The commander can strike “if US forces see missile launchers moving or identity missiles being put on the rails or identify targets of opportunity that threaten commercial shipping.”

“We preserve the right to eliminate those threats. We don’t have to wait. We can anticipate and preempt. There is a level of maneuverability.”

“We can hit a known threat. We don’t have to wait until Iran fires first.”

Officials said U.S. forces are currently focused on maintaining a “defensive umbrella” around commercial vessels rather than directly escorting every ship individually through the strait.

CENTCOM Says Iranian Boats Were Destroyed

As tensions surged, U.S. Central Command said American forces destroyed six Iranian fast boats threatening commercial shipping routes.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Iran’s naval harassment tactics appeared weaker than in previous confrontations.

“Today, we saw just six, and eliminated them quickly,” Cooper said.

“We have an enormous amount of capability and firepower concentrated in and around the Strait, including 864 Apache and MH 60 Seahawk helicopters used just this morning to eliminate six Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping,” he added.

Iran quickly disputed the U.S. account.

‘”The U.S. claim of sinking a number of Iranian warships is false,” the official reportedly said.

Trump Expands Project Freedom Operations

Project Freedom officially began Monday with the stated goal of restoring safe commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of disruption and mounting attacks.

CENTCOM said two U.S.-flagged merchant ships successfully crossed the strait under American military protection.

“U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom. American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X.

The operation has already expanded significantly.

CENTCOM confirmed Monday that 50 commercial vessels had been redirected during the enforcement of a U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports.

“Guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) observes a merchant vessel while on patrol enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran,” the command said.

“As of today, 50 commercial vessels have been redirected by U.S. forces to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM said.

Iran Warns Of “Asymmetric Operations”

Iranian officials responded with increasingly sharp rhetoric as American naval activity intensified in the Gulf.

Dr. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a representative of Iran’s Defense Council, accused the United States of holding global shipping “captive.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is a sanctuary, and its security is a non-negotiable principle,” Ahmadian said in a post shared on X.

“Let the American pirates, who have held the world’s shipping and energy security captive, know that complex, combined asymmetric operations in the depths of the battlefield will alter the equations in such a way that the cost of their decision will,” he added.

“It will go beyond the threshold of tolerance. This is not a warning, but part of a reality that, by God’s permission, will become manifest,” Ahmadian added.

Another senior Iranian official claimed Tehran fired only a “warning shot” at a U.S. vessel.

“Iran fired a warning shot against U.S. warship to prevent its entry into Strait of Hormuz, unclear whether there was any damage,” the official said.

CENTCOM strongly denied separate Iranian claims that missiles struck an American ship.

“They made this up. It’s not true,” Hawkins said.

International Pressure Builds As Crisis Deepens

The growing conflict is drawing reactions from world leaders concerned about global trade and regional security.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates.

“We stand in solidarity with the UAE and will continue to support the defence of our partners in the Gulf. This escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved,” Starmer said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz announced plans for a new U.N. Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s maritime actions.

“The president and Secretary Rubio have instructed us to come to the Security Council in full cooperation and craft a resolution with Bahrain and the GCC countries,” Waltz said during a press briefing.

“We’re working on a parallel effort at the Security Council that is separate and distinct from Project Freedom, but obviously related.”

“The resolution will involve holding Iran to account for its blatant violations of international law,” he added.

Trump Calls On South Korea To Join Mission

President Donald Trump also urged South Korea to participate in the mission after Iranian forces allegedly targeted a South Korean cargo vessel.

“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” Trump wrote.

“We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, ‘fast’ Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, will have a News Conference tomorrow morning,” the president added.