Iran launched an attack on US Navy vessels on Monday, according to American officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, in an incident that has not been publicly acknowledged by the US military.
The report says the incident followed the launch of Iranian ballistic missiles over the weekend targeting a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer operating in the region.
No US vessels hit
According to the officials cited by the newspaper, none of the American warships was struck during the attacks.
While no damage was reported, the incident has heightened concerns in Washington about Iran's military capabilities and its willingness to directly target US naval assets.
Concerns over advanced weaponry
US officials reportedly view the attacks as potentially significant because they could indicate that Iran is deploying more advanced weapons systems than previously assessed.
The officials also raised concerns that Tehran may be receiving technical or military assistance from China or Russia, although no evidence was publicly presented to support those claims.
Escalating tensions
The reported attack comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran in the Gulf region.
Earlier this week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced strikes against Iranian oil tankers as part of the ongoing confrontation between the two countries.
The Wall Street Journal report suggests that the retaliatory US actions followed a series of Iranian attempts to target American naval vessels.
No official US confirmation
As of the publication of the report, the US military had not publicly confirmed the alleged Monday attack.
The incident nevertheless adds to growing concerns over the risk of further military escalation in one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
