In a bold but suicidal move on day 43 of the 2026 US-Iran war, dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps fast attack boats opened heavy fire on U.S. naval forces patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian speedboats, armed with anti-ship missiles, heavy machine guns, and rocket launchers, launched a coordinated swarm ᴀssault against elements of the U.S. carrier strike group and the USS Tripoli. U.S. warships responded instantly with devastating force — 30mm chain guns, Hellfire missiles from helicopters, and naval gunfire tore through the Iranian flotilla. Multiple Iranian boats were seen exploding and sinking in flames within minutes of the engagement.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that at least 18 Iranian fast attack craft were destroyed or heavily damaged in the fierce clash. No significant damage was reported to American vessels, though the incident highlights Iran’s continued willingness to challenge U.S. naval dominance even as American forces тιԍнтen their grip on the critical waterway.

This latest naval confrontation comes as the U.S. maintains overwhelming presence in the Strait with a full aircraft carrier strike group, guided-missile cruisers, F-35 fighters, and the USS Tripoli. It follows the recent one-sided destruction of 125 Iranian Shahed drones by just three MQ-9 Reapers and the arrival of 10,000 elite U.S. troops in the region.

Iran’s fast boat tactic appears to be a last-ditch effort to disrupt shipping and harᴀss American forces after suffering major losses in recent weeks, including the destruction of five warships by a single MQ-9 Reaper and repeated heavy bunker-buster strikes on its coastal missile sites.

U.S. Central Command reports nearly 200 American troops injured across the theater with 13 confirmed deaths. President Donald Trump stated the Iranian boats were “quickly turned into scrap metal” and warned that any further attacks would be met with even greater force.

Brent crude prices remain elevated above $123 per barrel as the battle for control of the world’s most vital oil chokepoint continues.

With U.S. naval power now firmly entrenched in the Strait and Iran resorting to desperate swarm tactics, Tehran’s ability to sustain this conflict is being severely tested.

The situation is extremely tense and developing rapidly.