US destroys six Iranian small boats, shoots down missiles, drones, US admiral says

Cooper said he "strongly advised" Iranian forces to remain well clear of US military assets as it launches the operation, which he said involved 15,000 US troops, US Navy destroyers, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft and undersea assets.

"The US commanders who are on the scene have all the authorities necessary to defend their units and to defend commercial shipping," he said.

Asked if the US military was escorting ships, Cooper said there were no traditional escorts but rather a larger, multi-layered defensive arrangement that included ships, helicopters, aircraft, and electronic warfare to defend against Iranian threats.