Trump threatens to "wipe out Iran" if it attacks US ships

US President Donald Trump has threatened to "wipe Iran off the face of the earth" if US ships escorting ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz are targeted.

This came in statements to Fox News channel on Monday, during which he touched on the escalating tension with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump vowed that Iran would be "wiped off the face of the earth" if it attacked U.S. military ships escorting ships transiting the Strait.

Earlier today, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that Iran had attacked US warships and commercial ships that were crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency announced earlier today that a US Navy ship was targeted with two missiles after it ignored a warning by the Iranian army while trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz near Jask Island.

Washington confirms that its destroyers cross the Strait of Hormuz

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that destroyers equipped with guided missiles belonging to the US Navy have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and began their missions in the Gulf.

This came in a tweet via the "X" platform regarding the "Freedom Project" announced by Trump in order to ensure the exit of commercial ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

"U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and are now carrying out their missions in the Persian Gulf in support of the Freedom Project," the U.S. command said.

U.S. forces are involved in efforts to resecure the passage of merchant vessels, she said, noting that two U.S.-flagged merchant ships have already successfully crossed the strait as a first step in this route.

CENTCOM: We destroyed 6 Iranian boats and shot down missiles and drones

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said Monday that the U.S. military destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted cruise missiles and drones launched by Tehran, as part of a U.S. operation aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper added that he "strongly advises" Iranian forces to stay away from U.S. military positions during the operation, stressing that the U.S. blockade, which prevents ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports, is still in effect and that its results have "exceeded expectations."

Axios: Trump is frustrated by the "no war, no peace" situation with Iran

Axios published a report in which it revealed that US President Donald Trump is "fed up with a situation of no agreement and no war" with Iran, considering that the existing stalemate is no longer acceptable, which prompted him to order an operation aimed at changing this reality, although the move may eventually lead to a military confrontation.

A senior U.S. official said, "The president wants action. He doesn't want to stay in the waiting area. He wants pressure and he wants a deal," he said, referring to Trump's desire to push Tehran to the negotiating table from a position of strength.

According to the report, Trump was presented with a bolder proposal last Thursday evening, according to which US naval units would be sent to cross the Strait of Hormuz and open it by force. But the president chose a more cautious approach at the last minute, at least in the first phase.