President Donald Trump said three U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz under fire on May 7, 2026 [1], [2].
The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, highlighting the volatility of one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints.
Trump said that the three [1] destroyers successfully exited the strait despite being targeted by Iranian forces. According to the president, the vessels suffered no damage during the encounter, while the opposing forces were hit hard.
"Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire," Trump said. "There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers" [1].
In a separate statement, Trump said the U.S. Navy ships were targeted, but the forces emerged unscathed and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy [2]. The president's comments aimed to portray the naval operation as a success and signal that Iranian aggression was being repelled [1], [2].
However, reports regarding the initiation of the hostilities are contradictory. While U.S. accounts describe the destroyers as being under fire from Iranian attackers, Iran has accused the United States of breaching a ceasefire with attacks in the Strait of Hormuz [1].
The U.S. Navy has not released independent casualty figures or a detailed damage assessment of the Iranian assets. The president's statements were delivered via social media and reported by multiple news outlets on Thursday [1], [2].
“"There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers."”
This exchange underscores the fragile security environment in the Persian Gulf. The contradiction between the U.S. and Iranian accounts regarding who initiated the fire suggests a high risk of miscalculation, where both nations may perceive the other as the aggressor in a breach of existing ceasefires.
