"The US operation, which got under way on Monday after being announced as Project Freedom by Trump on Sunday night on his social media site, dramatically raised the stakes in a conflict that had been in a month-long period of uneasy limbo."
"Adm Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, said that US forces had destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted both Iranian cruise missiles and drones."
"Iran swiftly denied the claim, asserting that two US-flagged merchant vessels had not successfully transited the strait, while US navy guided-missile destroyers had begun patrolling the Gulf."
"Trump downplayed tensions, stating that Iran had taken some shots but had caused no harm apart from damage to a South Korean cargo vessel, which reported an unexplained explosion and fire."
The US initiated Project Freedom to open shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of ships and crews were trapped. This operation escalated tensions with Iran, which sought to maintain its blockade. US Central Command reported the destruction of six Iranian boats and interception of missiles and drones. Iran denied US claims regarding the transit of merchant vessels. Despite the escalating situation, Trump minimized the threat, stating that only a South Korean cargo vessel suffered damage from an unexplained incident.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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