U.S. attack helicopters destroyed several Iranian boats and repelled missile and drone attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as Washington launched a new operation to secure the critical waterway.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) head Navy Adm. Brad Cooper said six Iranian boats were destroyed, while President Donald Trump later stated in a Truth Social post that seven boats were hit.

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! We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, “fast” Boats.… pic.twitter.com/sh2MSonTRx

— Commentary: Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 4, 2026

The clashes came on the opening day of Project Freedom, a U.S. operation to escort commercial vessels through the strait, after Iranian threats disrupted maritime traffic in the key oil transit route which carries about 20% of global supply.

According to Cooper, AH-64 Apache and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters were used in the operation.

Iran’s state-run media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), denied that any of its boats were sunk and claimed that Iranian forces launched cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones near U.S. destroyers approaching the Strait of Hormuz after issuing several warnings, forcing the vessels to withdraw from the area.

Iran also claimed it struck a U.S. warship.

🚨 BREAKING
Iranian Navy, after several warnings to US destroyers approaching the Strait of Hormuz, launched cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones near the hostile vessels, forcing them to retreat from the area.

— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) May 4, 2026

Footage of the Iranian Navy firing warning shots toward U.S. destroyers. pic.twitter.com/W4nb6GYlpR

— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) May 4, 2026

Cooper confirmed that Iranian forces launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats” targeting both U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels. However, he rejected Iran’s claims about the outcome, saying all incoming threats were intercepted and no American or commercial vessels were hit.

🚫 CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit a U.S. warship with two missiles.

✅ TRUTH: No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports. pic.twitter.com/VFxovxLU6G

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 4, 2026

“We defended both ourselves and, consistent with our commitment, we defended all those commercial ships,” Cooper said. 

Cooper declined to say whether the latest clashes signaled the end of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran that began in April.

“I wouldn’t go into details of the whether the ceasefire is over or not,” he said. “I think the key thing is for us is we’re merely there as a defensive force and enforce, to give a very thick layer of defense to commercial shipping to allow them to proceed out of the Arabian Gulf.”

Recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz came amid renewed tensions in the Gulf, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reporting that Iran fired missiles and drones at the country on Monday.

The UAE air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 UAV’s.

The Ministry of Defence announced that on May 4, 2026, the UAE air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 UAV’s launched from Iran, resulting in 3 moderate… pic.twitter.com/FlrqZyB3Nj

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) May 4, 2026

The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four UAVs launched from Iran, resulting in three moderate injuries. In Fujairah, a drone strike triggered a fire at an oil facility that was later brought under control by emergency crews. 

UAE’s Fujairah on fire following Iranian attack today. pic.twitter.com/V852mmPlGE

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 4, 2026

The incident marked the first reported strike on UAE territory since a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took effect last month.

“The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities,” the ministry said. 

A senior Iranian military official said Iran had no pre-planned intention to attack the Fujairah oil facilities.

“The incident resulted from U.S. military adventurism to create a passage for the illegal transit of ships through restricted areas of the Strait of Hormuz,” a senior Iranian official cited by IRIB said. 

🚨 EXCLUSIVE
A senior Iranian military:
“Iran had No pre-planned intention to attack the #Fujairah oil facilities.
The incident resulted from U.S. military adventurism to create an illegal passage through restricted areas of the Strait of #Hormuz.
U.S. must be held accountable”

— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) May 4, 2026