US Destroys Six Iranian Ships In Straight Of Hormuz During ‘Project Freedom’

The head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, told reporters on Monday that the United States had destroyed six Iranian boats that threatened commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump on Sunday launched “Project Freedom,” a U.S. Navy effort to help guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. In a press call with reporters, Cooper said the United States retaliated and destroyed Iranian forces that had appeared to threaten commercial shipping. (RELATED: Trump’s ploy to blow up Congress over Iran war doesn’t sit well with legal experts)

“We have defeated every single one of those threats,” Cooper told reporters.

“We defended this ourselves and, consistent with our commitment, we defended all commercial vessels,” Cooper added. “We launched drones against commercial ships, all of which were defended according to our commitment, and then the small boats all launched against commercial ships, and all were sunk by Apaches and pirates. [inaudible] helicopters. »

Cooper told the Daily Caller that the United States had opened an “effective route” across the strait. Two US ships have passed through the strait in the past 24 hours. After the firefight, Cooper declined to say whether the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was now over.

https://t.co/6kFYBTZn8d

– US Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 3, 2026

Rather than directly escorting ships through the strait, Cooper told the caller that the United States was conducting a large defensive operation to help commercial boats pass.

“I think we have a much better defensive arrangement in this process, where we have multiple layers that include ships, helicopters, aircraft, airborne early warning system, electronic warfare – and a much broader defensive package than you would ever have if you were just an escort. I feel good about that, and that’s been proven over the last few hours,” Cooper told the caller.

After declaring that Iran had “accepted everything,” the president told reporters that negotiations with the country were not going well.

“Right now, we have negotiations going on. They’re not getting there. They’re very disjointed. They’re extremely disjointed,” the president said. “They can’t agree as leaders; they don’t know who the leader is. Their military has been defeated. If we left now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild this country. But we are not satisfied right now.”

Trump added that the country was asking for things it “couldn’t accept.”