The US military struck a Panama-flagged ship on Tuesday as it tried to approach an Iranian port in violation of Washington's blockade, the Pentagon announced. President Donald Trump again asserted that the United States was exercising "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz.
There were no immediate reports of deaths from the incident, according to the report. The ship appeared to be trying to transfer its crew to another civilian vessel after the attack.
Details about the ship's destination or the nature of the strike were not immediately released. The US military said the action came after the vessel ignored warnings and attempted to breach the blockade, which Washington has imposed on Iranian ports as part of its escalating pressure campaign against Tehran.
Trump's statement on Tuesday reinforced the US position that it has full command of the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of the world's oil passes. The incident marks the latest confrontation in the region, where tensions between the US and Iran have remained high.
No further details were provided on the ship's condition or the crew's fate. The report said the crew appeared to be in the process of transferring to another vessel, but did not confirm whether that transfer had been completed.