Iran has claimed that a recent United States military operation in the Strait of Hormuz destroyed civilian, not military, vessels and killed at least five civilians. According to Iranian state media, six boats hit in Monday’s strike were cargo and passenger vessels. A military official told Tasnim News Agency that US forces attacked two small cargo boats traveling from Oman’s Khasab coast toward Iran, calling the action reckless and dangerous.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had earlier stated that the strike targeted six Iranian fast boats allegedly attempting to disrupt commercial shipping during an operation to secure the waterway. The US said Seahawk and Apache attack helicopters were used under “Operation Freedom” to ensure maritime safety. Iran’s new claim of civilian casualties has heightened regional tensions over the incident.

The conflicting accounts from Washington and Tehran have raised uncertainty about the nature of the targeted vessels and the broader implications for security in the Strait of Hormuz.