Two US Navy destroyers — USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) and USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG-121) — made an unsuccessful attempt to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but were intercepted by Iranian naval forces and forced to withdraw, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
.The Iranian military claims that the US ships were intercepted and forced to return to the Indian Ocean after a warning from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Press TV described the mission as a "failed propaganda stunt" aimed at influencing ongoing peace talks in Islamabad.
The US Central Command officially announced that the two destroyers had successfully passed through the strait. According to Washington, the mission was aimed at establishing a new safe corridor for commercial shipping and beginning to clear the waters of Iranian mines.
US officials reported that during the passage an Iranian surveillance drone was destroyed that came dangerously close to one of the ships.
Great Britain will not participate in the US military mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Sky News reported.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US and other naval forces would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
At least 278 children have been killed as a result of US and Israeli strikes on Iran since the beginning of the conflict, SNN reported, citing the country's Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, 161 boys and 117 girls were killed.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has retained more than half of its small warships.
According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 60% of the IRGC's motor combat boats remain in service, which helps Tehran control the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that US and other naval forces would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the Iran talks held in Islamabad, their progress and next steps by phone with representatives of the US and Pakistan, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told TASS.
„Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held phone calls today with representatives of the US and Pakistan participating in the talks in Islamabad. The approaches presented by the parties during the talks were evaluated and next steps were discussed“, the source said. It was not specified who on the American side Fidan contacted.
Earlier, he discussed these issues separately by phone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.