At 3:44 AM, the lead Iranian boat opened fire with a heavy machine gun, its rounds stitching across the water and striking the hull of the USS Tempest.

The impact occurred above the waterline, forward of the bridge, as five rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition penetrated the ship’s steel plating.

Fortunately, no crew members were present in that section, and the rounds exited through the opposite side, hitting the water.

However, the fact that five rounds had penetrated an American warship’s hull in the Strait of Hormuz was a serious escalation.

The situation was compounded as eight more Iranian boats raced toward the USS Tempest at 40 knots, signaling an imminent and coordinated attack.

Welcome to the US Defense Review, where we analyze the engagements, escalations, and close calls that define the cost of American naval presence in one of the world’s most volatile corridors.