In the early morning hours, the Strait of Hormuz became the scene of a tense naval confrontation. At 6:22 a.m., an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps fast boat opened fire on the USS Gettysburg, a U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, with 12.7 mm rounds striking the water within 400 meters of the ship. The attack was part of a coordinated group of 12 boats that had been tracked for several minutes prior.
The strait’s narrow 21-nautical-mile width limits maneuvering for large vessels. The Gettysburg, a 567-foot, 9,800-ton cruiser, elevated to a heightened alert posture as the boats closed in. Warnings were issued via international maritime frequencies, but the Iranian vessels pressed their approach. Machine-gun fire hit the port side of the ship, escalating the threat.
The crew quickly engaged using .50 caliber M2 weapons and the Close-In Weapon System, disabling the lead boat and forcing its crew into the water. Remaining vessels maintained a distance of 400–600 meters.
At 6:27 a.m., two F/A-18 Super Hornets arrived from a nearby carrier, flying supersonic to deter further aggression. The Iranian boats withdrew toward the coastline, leaving the disabled vessel behind.
Post-incident analysis confirmed the operation was deliberate, exploiting radar coverage gaps and traffic lane constraints. The encounter demonstrated the crew’s effective graduated response in a crowded maritime environment.
Following the incident, the U.S. Navy enhanced surveillance, added gun mounts, and increased helicopter coverage. The Gettysburg continued transits through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, underscoring U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and readiness in the region.
