The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta entered the Persian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz as part of Mission Freedom, CBS News reported, citing officials. It became the third US Navy ship in the area.

According to sources, all three destroyers—USS ​​Rafael Peralta, USS Truxtun, and USS Mason—are currently in the area west of the Strait of Hormuz, awaiting further instructions. The ships are part of a multi-layered defense system, including warships, aircraft, and air defense systems, to protect commercial vessels transiting the strait.

As previously reported by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason were attacked by Iran using missiles, drones, and speedboats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to the military, all threats were intercepted or contained, no munitions reached their targets, and two Iranian boats were sunk.