US Military Downs Four Iranian Drones Near Strait Of Hormuz, Strikes Radar Sites Inside Iran
US Military Downs Four Iranian Drones Near Strait Of Hormuz, Strikes Radar Sites Inside Iran
The development marks another escalation in the growing confrontation between Washington and Tehran, raising fresh concerns about security in one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
The United States military has announced that its forces shot down four Iranian attack drones headed toward the strategic Strait of Hormuz before carrying out retaliatory strikes on military targets inside Iran.
The development marks another escalation in the growing confrontation between Washington and Tehran, raising fresh concerns about security in one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the drones were intercepted after they posed what it described as an immediate threat to maritime traffic in the region.
“Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz,” the military command said.
“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.”
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces subsequently launched strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance radar installations located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island.
The military said the operation was aimed at preventing further attacks and protecting freedom of navigation through the waterway, which serves as a critical artery for global energy supplies.
“U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further attacks,” CENTCOM stated.
The command added that American forces in the region remain on high alert and are prepared to respond to what it described as Iranian aggression.
“American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense,” the statement added.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is regarded as one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. A significant percentage of globally traded crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the narrow waterway daily.
Any disruption to shipping activities in the area often triggers concerns across international markets and can affect global energy prices.
The latest military exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel, following months of hostilities, military strikes and threats of retaliation across the Middle East.
As of the time of filing this report, Iranian authorities had not publicly responded to CENTCOM’s claims regarding the downing of the drones or the reported strikes on the radar facilities.
