- By Shubham Bajpai
- Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As negotiations in Islamabad were underway between the United States and Iran, two US naval destroyers of the US, the USS Frank E Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, sliced through the contested waters in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, entering into a standoff with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy.
According to The Wall Street Journal report, the US Navy's guided missile destroyers attempted to pass through the volatile chokepoint. They were confronted by the IRGC Navy, a radio exchange of which was captured by a nearby civilian vessel.
According to the report, Iranian forces said, "This is the last warning. This is the last warning," while challenging the US warships.
To the Iranian Navy's message, the US ships replied, "Passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you, and I intend to abide by the rules of our government’s cease-fire."
ALSO READ: West Asia War: THIS Company Emerges As Leading LNG Supplier To India Amid Gulf Disruptions
The report added that the frigates passed without any incident, marking the first-ever military transit through the Strait since the war started on February 28.
Tehran was reportedly not informed about the transit by the US mission. Washington has claimed the transit, but Tehran was swift to deny the claim.
On Saturday, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the two destroyers were on a mine-clearing mission.
The destroyers "transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," the CENTCOM said.
US Admiral Brad Cooper called the US destroyers' presence in the region a turning point in the ongoing conflict. He said, "Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage, and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce."