Admiral Brad Cooper told reporters that U.S. warships intercepted and destroyed a salvo of Iranian missiles and drones targeting commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Apache helicopters also sank six Iranian speedboats that had closed in on the convoy. No Navy vessel or tanker suffered damage, and the engagement unfolded as President Trump ordered a rescue of stranded ships in late April.

Cooper said the operation cleared a mined channel using unmanned naval robots, then escorted two U.S.-flagged merchant ships into the Arabian Sea while dozens of other vessels queued to transit under the U.S. protective umbrella. He framed the move as a defensive effort supported by two carriers, dozens of warplanes and roughly 15,000 troops, aiming to restore free flow of oil.

The brief flare‑up rattled regional shipping rates and prompted insurers to hike premiums on vessels passing the chokepoint. Traders noted a modest uptick in Brent futures as concerns over supply disruptions eased following the U.S. demonstration of force. The episode underscores how quickly geopolitical tension can translate into immediate cost pressures for global energy markets.