US military forces struck Iranian missile sites and boats in southern Iran, targeting positions around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in what the Pentagon described as self-defense operations. The strikes came after Iranian forces launched missiles and drones at US Navy vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically important shipping lanes on the planet.

No US assets were hit during the Iranian attacks.

What happened in the Strait

The US strikes, carried out on May 7-8, targeted missile and drone launch sites along with command nodes in southern Iran. Three US Navy destroyers were involved in the operations: the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason.

US Central Command characterized…