US forces down 2 Iranian drones ‘threatening traffic’ in Strait of Hormuz

Washington: The US military said it shot down two Iranian drones after they allegedly threatened traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (Indian time).

“Earlier today, US forces in the Middle East shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.

CENTCOM said on Friday that US forces had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf neighbours.

Iran has not responded to it so far.

It was the latest clash between Washington and Tehran as tensions in the Middle East escalated anew. The two countries have been engaged in weeks of indirect talks on how to end the conflicts, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier on Friday, the United States military announced that it shot down four Iranian attack drones headed towards the Strait of Hormuz and later carried out strikes on Iranian coastal radar installations, marking a fresh escalation in tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces acted after detecting what it described as an immediate threat to shipping in the region.

“Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.

The military said the drones “posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic”.

According to CENTCOM, US forces then launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian surveillance infrastructure along the country’s southern coast.

“US forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further attacks,” the statement said.

CENTCOM did not provide details on casualties, damage assessments or the type of aircraft and weapons used in the operation. The statement also did not indicate whether any commercial vessels were directly targeted by the drones.

IANS