Iran's pre-Xi meet bombshell: Brutal 32-weapon strike on US destroyers derails Trump talks?

Iran says it has just shattered the already‑fragile ceasefire with the United States in one of the most dramatic claims of the war so far. According to Tehran, Iranian forces launched a 68‑minute overnight operation in the Strait of Hormuz, firing eight Noor anti‑ship cruise missiles and twenty‑four Arash‑2 suicide drones at three U.S. destroyers said to be operating in the area. Iranian officials allege that at least one missile and three drones hit American naval targets, even claiming fires broke out on board some vessels. Washington, however, tells a very different story, saying its ships came under attack but were not struck, and that U.S. forces carried out “self‑defense strikes” against Iranian missile sites in response. The warships reportedly involved include the USS Truxtun, USS Mason and USS Rafael Peralta, highlighting just how close the confrontation has moved to the heart of global energy routes. With the Strait of Hormuz still one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, any escalation here risks spiralling into a wider crisis for shipping, energy markets and regional security.