Johnny B Maga

🗺️🚢 Iran Disputes U.S. Claim of Hormuz Transit, Says Warship Turned Back Under Threat 🔸U.S. vessels attempted a “very high-risk operation” to create the impression the strait is open — “to come through, take a souvenir photo, and say: ‘Hey, I crossed,’” said Nima Akbarkhani, speaking on state media, disputing U.S. claims that two warships, the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG-121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), transited the Strait of Hormuz. ▪️ He said the ships used electronic warfare, hugged coastlines, and spoofed their identity as smaller local vessels, at times positioning behind other ships to mask movement. ▪️ “As usual, it pulled every trick in the book,” he said. The vessels do not appear on VesselFinder, Kpler, or MarineTraffic. ▪️ Akbarkhani said Iranian forces tracked the vessel, locked anti-ship cruise missiles onto it, and warned it to turn back within 30 minutes or be struck. ▪️ He added IRGC naval forces saw it as “the best catch we’ve had in a while,” but were held back due to the ceasefire. 🔸His account directly contradicts U.S. Central Command, which said the two destroyers transited into the Persian Gulf and began operations to establish a safe maritime passage and “ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines.” ▪️ CENTCOM said the mission includes clearing mines allegedly laid by Iran’s IRGC and preparing a route to “encourage the free flow of commerce.” ▪️ Additional U.S. assets, including underwater drones, are expected to join in the coming days. ▪️ USS Frank E. Peterson is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, while USS Michael Murphy is independently deployed, according to USNI News.