US forces down 2 Iranian drones 'threatening traffic' in Strait of Hormuz
Washington, June 7
The US military said it shot down two Iranian drones after they allegedly threatened traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.
"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
Reader Comments
Typical US flexing their military muscles in someone else's backyard. The Strait of Hormuz is Iran's doorstep, and America claims it's *threatening traffic*? Yeah right. If I were Iran, I'd protect my coastline too. But shooting drones without proof? We all remember the WMDs in Iraq... history repeating itself. India should stay neutral and keep doing business with both sides.
On one hand, Iran shouldn't be launching drones at ships. But on the other, US strikes on Iranian radar installations sound like they're provoking retaliation. This is a tinderbox. As an Indian watching from afar, I just hope our navy and oil tankers don't get caught in crossfire. 🙏
People forget that Iran fired first. Random drones near a crucial trade route? That's an act of hostility. US was justified in taking them down. But hitting radar sites afterwards? That's escalation. India must push for a ceasefire—our 9 million NRIs and daily oil imports are at stake. Modiji, call both Washington and Tehran now!
Chilling déjà vu. First Yemen, now Strait of Hormuz. US keeps playing world police, but who pays the price? Indian families paying higher fuel prices and our sailors risking their lives. Both sides need to sit at a table. Enough grandstanding with missiles and drones. 😔
I'm no fan of Iran's regime, but America's track record in the Middle East is disastrous. Remember 2003? They keep destabilizing the region, then
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