Two U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian fire Monday as the vessels came under a barrage of small boats, missiles and drones, according to reports.
The USS Truxtun and USS Mason were backed by fighter aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters during the encounter, with officials describing it as a "sustained barrage," the CBS report said.
Despite the attack, neither of the destroyers was impacted, with forces intercepting or deterring each threat.
Fox News' Emma Bussey contributed to this report.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth offered new details about the goals and duration of President Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" on Tuesday.
"This operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury. Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration," Hegseth said, adding that its mission is to protect international shipping from "Iranian aggression."
"American forces won't need to enter Iranian waters or airspace. That's not necessary. We're not looking for a fight, but Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway. Iran is the clear aggressor," he added, citing Iran's attacks on trade vessels from "every nation."
Hegseth went on to condemn Iran's actions as "international extortion."
"As a direct gift from the United States to the world. We have established a powerful red, white and blue dome over the strait. American destroyers are on station, supported by hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones and surveillance aircraft, providing 24 over seven overwatch for peaceful commercial vessels," he added.
Congress left Washington, D.C., without flexing its legal muscle against President Donald Trump's Iran war, despite growing concern among Republicans about what comes next in the Middle East.
The 60-day deadline, enshrined into law by the War Powers Act Resolution, requires that Congress authorize or halt the war. That mark came and went Friday while lawmakers were back home.
While Senate Democrats have voted six times in lockstep to handcuff Trump’s war powers in Iran, Republicans broadly have not wanted to interfere with the administration’s plans.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he didn’t see a desire from most Republicans to take action on the deadline and noted that lawmakers were getting "readouts from our military leadership on a somewhat regular basis" to guide their decision-making.
Still, some Republicans want to put guardrails on Trump when Congress returns.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been working on an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that she described as more than an authorization, but also a "restraint."
"If we pass this 60-day mark from the start of hostilities with still a lack of a credible plan and information from the administration, it is one — it is something that I intend to introduce once the Senate reconvenes here," Murkowski said.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Alex Miller.
{{#rendered}}Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., floated the prospect of more U.S. attacks against Iran, suggesting that a large, but brief effort to target the Islamic Republic's "war machine" would be justified.
In a Monday Truth Social post, President Donald Trump declared, "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. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait."
Sharing a screenshot of Trump's post, Graham agreed in a Monday post on X.
"Spot on, Mr. President. The combination of Iran’s attack against UAE’s vital infrastructure and continued attacks on international shipping, including a South Korean cargo ship, more than justifies a big, strong and short response to inflict further damage on Iran’s war machine," Graham asserted in his post on X.
"The UAE has been a champion ally in this fight, doing everything that’s being asked of them and beyond. Iran’s recent brazen attack against the UAE tells me a lot about who’s in charge in Iran and the chance of a diplomatic solution any time soon. A forceful response on behalf of our ally, UAE, will reinforce that America is back as a reliable ally, helping to further wash away the damage caused by the Biden administration on this front," the senator added.
Helicopters were utilized "just this morning to eliminate six Iranian small boats," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper noted on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared in a post on X, "Events in Hormuz make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis. As talks are making progress with Pakistan's gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project Deadlock."
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"To the American people: I know gas prices are high, and I know we're suffering right now. But you pay now, or you pay later against thugs like Iran. They tried to get a nuclear weapon, and if you don't believe that you shouldn't be allowed to drive in your hometown," Graham said during a Monday night appearance on Fox News Channel's "Hannity."
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Alex Nitzberg.
The U.S. operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is unfolding under fire, with American forces intercepting Iranian missiles and drones and destroying attack boats targeting commercial shipping as they begin moving vessels through one of the world’s most critical waterways.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited the strait under the effort, dubbed "Project Freedom," even as Iranian officials rejected the claim as "baseless" and warned that any foreign military presence would be attacked.
President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian strike on U.S. vessels would be met with overwhelming force, saying Iran would be "blown off the face of the earth," while a senior Iranian commander said American forces would be targeted if they "approach and enter" the strait.
The operation has quickly turned into a direct test of control over the strait, with U.S. forces moving ships under fire while Iran threatens to strike any foreign presence — a clash that could pull the two sides deeper into open conflict.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had taken "shots at unrelated Nations" during the operation, including a South Korean cargo ship, and suggested allies could join the effort.
"Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!" he wrote.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters that Iranian forces launched cruise missiles, drones and small boats at vessels under U.S. protection as the operation began, targeting primarily commercial shipping as well as some U.S. Navy ships.
U.S. forces responded by intercepting the attacks and destroying six Iranian small boats, Cooper said, adding that American forces "defeated each and every one of those threats."
He said the two U.S.-flagged ships transited the strait "uneventfully" and that additional vessels are expected to begin moving to take advantage of the passage.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Morgan Phillips.
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