U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk and U.S. Military AH-64 Apache helicopters had been used to sink six Iranian small assault boats which had been threatening industrial transport.
Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), mentioned to media that U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk and U.S. Military AH-64 Apache helicopters had been used on Might 4, 2026, to sink six Iranian small assault boats. The boats had been reportedly threatening industrial transport within the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve an unlimited quantity of functionality and firepower concentrated in and across the strait, together with AH-64 Apache and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters used simply this morning to eradicate six Iranian small boats threatening industrial transport,” mentioned the Admiral.
U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters are supporting Challenge Freedom in and close to the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier at this time, Sea Hawk and U.S. Military AH-64 Apache helicopters had been used to eradicate Iranian small boats threatening industrial transport. pic.twitter.com/pt9eTWkhxZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) Might 4, 2026
The helicopter assault occurred after Iran launched a number of cruise missiles, drones and small boats making an attempt to focus on U.S. ships within the space. Cooper mentioned that no U.S. ship, both navy or industrial, was hit by the Iranian fireplace.
“The cruise missiles had been going after each U.S. Navy ships, however principally after industrial transport. We defended each ourselves and, in line with our dedication, we defended all these industrial ships,” defined Cooper, in accordance with The Struggle Zone. “We had drone launches in opposition to industrial ships, all of which had been defended in opposition to, in line with our dedication, after which the small boats had been all going in opposition to industrial ships, and all had been sunk by Apaches and Seahawk helicopters.”
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, flew over regional waters in and close to the Strait of Hormuz in an AH-64 Apache helicopter, Might 3, on the eve of U.S. navy assist for Challenge Freedom. He interacted with U.S. Military Troopers after visiting with Sailors and Marines on Saturday… pic.twitter.com/NEc9YCFBPB
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) Might 4, 2026
No different particulars had been supplied concerning the U.S. assault and it’s unclear if the MH-60s and AH-64s had been working collectively or in the event that they had been concerned in separate incidents. The Navy’s and Military’s helicopter are flying armed patrol missions over the realm, and each sorts had been seen carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
Challenge Freedom
Notably, only a day earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a brand new initiative, known as “Challenge Freedom,” to help industrial vessels in transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In accordance with Cooper, this shall be a multi-domain operation targeted on making a defensive umbrella throughout the Strait of Hormuz to defend U.S. forces and industrial transport within the space.
In accordance with U.S. President Donald J. Trump, “Challenge Freedom,” a U.S. naval mission to escort vessels by means of the Strait of Hormuz, will start on Monday. Per the assertion on his Fact Social app, many seafarers are working low on meals, retailer stuffs, and different provides, and… pic.twitter.com/tChs7jz1wk
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) Might 3, 2026
The Admiral mentioned that they’ve reached out “to dozens of ships and transport corporations to encourage site visitors move by means of the Strait […] to assist information ships safely by means of the slender commerce hall.” He additional added that CENTCOM is “already starting to see motion.”
Remarks to media at this time from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, on Challenge Freedom: pic.twitter.com/68hSeZfGXO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) Might 4, 2026
Just like earlier cases, Iran has warned in opposition to efforts to forcefully reopen the navigation within the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM mentioned that Iran has already interfered with the present operations beneath Challenge Freedom with at this time’s assault.
Cooper attributed to the assaults to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), saying it has launched a number of cruise missiles, drones, and small boats at ships. “We’ve defeated every a type of threats by means of the scientific utility of defensive munitions,” mentioned the Admiral.
Remarks to media at this time from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, on Challenge Freedom: pic.twitter.com/kIFFLf2vpd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) Might 4, 2026
Trump was not fanatic about Iran’s remark, saying to Fox Information that the nation can be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it focused U.S. ships. The President didn’t point out at this time’s assault in his assertion and social media posts on Might 4.
BREAKING: President Trump sends a brand new warning to the Iranian regime if it assaults any U.S. vessel working to implement Challenge Freedom:
“They’ll be blown off the face of the earth.”
Trump tells @TreyYingst that Iran has turn into “rather more malleable” in talks.
“We’ve extra… pic.twitter.com/bLqscDAgag
— Fox Information (@FoxNews) Might 4, 2026
