CENTCOM releases footage of US forces destroying Iranian naval targets threatening Hormuz shipping

US Central Command (CENTCOM) released video footage on Thursday March 19 showing US forces striking and destroying Iranian naval targets in and near the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM's official X account posted the footage with the statement: 'U.S. forces are destroying Iranian naval targets that threaten international shipping in and near the Strait of Hormuz.' The video was confirmed by multiple outlets including Reuters, JNS, and national TV networks. The Strait of Hormuz has been the subject of intense diplomatic and military activity throughout Day 20, with the UK-France-Germany-Italy-Netherlands-Japan joint statement pledging readiness to contribute to Hormuz safe passage, UK military planners deploying to CENTCOM MacDill AFB, and NATO Secretary General Rutte calling for allied cooperation on Hormuz reopening. The CENTCOM Hormuz naval operation directly supports Hegseth's claim that the US military had struck 120+ Iranian navy ships and crippled Iran's military ports. The release of footage represents a deliberate US signaling operation — showing allies and the public that active Hormuz clearance operations are underway ahead of potential allied naval contributions. Iran's IRGC Navy has been conducting harassment operations against commercial shipping in the Strait since early in the war, seizing tankers and firing warning shots to enforce an effective blockade. The US operation targets these naval assets to degrade Iran's interdiction capability.