Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again on April 11, 2026, as U.S. Navy ships entered the Strait of Hormuz to begin clearing mines. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy radioed a sharp warning to one of the American destroyers.
“This is the last warning. This is the last warning,” the Iranian forces transmitted.
The U.S. ship replied calmly, stating that it was passing “in accordance with international law” and had “no challenge” intended. The American crew added that it planned to follow the rules of a temporary cease-fire between the two sides.
The incident happened while two U.S. guided-missile destroyers — the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy — transited the narrow waterway and operated in the Arabian Gulf. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the ships were “setting conditions” for a larger effort to remove sea mines that Iran had placed earlier in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, explained the goal: “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.”
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. About one-fifth of global oil passes through it, so any disruption can quickly drive up energy prices. Iran laid mines in the strait after the initial strikes, which sharply reduced commercial shipping and caused oil prices to spike.
Iran’s military has repeatedly claimed full control over the strait. On social media platform X, the IRGC Navy wrote in Persian that it “fully and authoritatively manages the intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz.” It said permission to pass is granted only to non-military vessels under specific rules and strongly denied that any U.S. warships had gone through.
“Reports published regarding the passage of U.S. vessels through the strait are denied,” the IRGC stated, “and any attempt by military vessels to pass will be met with the utmost firmness and resolve.”
The U.S. military has not yet commented publicly on the specific radio exchange, though The Hill reached out to CENTCOM for a response.
This latest confrontation comes amid fragile talks between the U.S. and Iran. The mine-clearing operation marks the first time U.S. warships have moved through the strait since the recent round of hostilities began. Some observers worry that such moves could raise the risk of miscalculation, especially in a confined waterway where ships operate close to shore and within easy range of Iranian forces.
The episode highlights how quickly tensions can flare in this critical region, even during a supposed pause in fighting. Both sides appear to be testing boundaries while trying to keep the conflict from spiraling into full-scale war. For now, the U.S. push to reopen the strait for safe shipping continues, but Iran’s firm warnings make clear that future passages could face strong pushback.
