Iran says US attacked cargo boats in Hormuz, killing five civilians

Iranian state media, including Tasnim News Agency, reported that five people were killed after United States forces targeted what it described as civilian boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

A military official said the vessels were “two small cargo boats carrying civilians that were moving from Khasab on the coast of Oman towards the Iranian coast.”

“This hasty and clumsy behaviour by the enemy stems from the excessive fear and nightmare of the US military regarding the IRGC’s fast-boat operations,” the official added. 

US Central Command said its forces had targeted “Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping”, stating helicopters “were used to eliminate” the vessels.

The US said the boats were attempting to interfere with maritime traffic, while Iran denied the vessels were linked to the IRGC.