US Strikes Two Iranian Ships in the Strait

They were attempting to lay mines.

CENTCOM confirms defensive strikes on IRGC ships that were caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and on a surface to air missile site in Bandar Abbas that was targeting U.S. aircraft.

A U.S. official made clear that this does not indicate the ceasefire with Iran is over: “these were defensive strikes”.

Wall Street Journal: Tensions rose on Monday as the U.S. sank two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ships attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching surface-to-air missiles at U.S. planes, prompting American attacks on missile launchers near Bandar Abbas, a U.S. official said. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” said Col. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the command (Wall Street Journal).

Senior US officials: “These were defensive strikes.” They do not indicate ceasefire is over, according to two well placed sources (Griffin).

The US launched a strike on Iran.

IRGC boats were caught red-handed laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM responded with a strike, destroying ships and a missile facility in Bandar Abbas. According to Fox, the ceasefire has not been violated. pic.twitter.com/55Wy3CiIpC

— Alex Lector (@alexlector7) May 26, 2026

US strikes Iranian boats attempting to lay mines

The US says the attacks on missile sites and boats in southern Iran were in “self-defense”

By: Marcus Hand, Seatrade Maritime News, May 26, 2026:

The US launched strikes near the port of Bandar Abbas targeting Iranian missile sites and boat attempting to lay mines.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” US Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins was quoted as saying by CNN.

The missile strikes were reported to have targeted an area near the port city of Bandar Abbas where an Iranian naval base is located.

Iran has previously claimed to have mined the Strait of Hormuz in area that includes the normal traffic separation scheme for commercial shipping although the presence of mines has not been confirmed.

The latest US strikes come as peace talks between the US and Iran are reported to be progressing around a Memorandum of Understanding which would extend the ceasefire for another 60 days and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, although the two sides have differed on how close they are to an agreement.

Related:Iranians take floating armoury anchored off Fujairah

Meanwhile the US blockade of Iranian ports continues and as of 23 May US Centcom said it had reached the milestone of redirecting 100 vessels, disabling four, and allowing 26 humanitarian aid ships to pass.