U.S. Says It Downed Two Iranian Drones Near Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday that American forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones that it said posed a threat to international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring growing tensions in the strategically vital waterway.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the drones were intercepted earlier in the day and described them as a danger to freedom of navigation and commercial shipping in the region.

“The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to continue defending against any Iranian aggression,” CENTCOM said.

The latest incident follows a series of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran. On Friday evening, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces had downed four Iranian drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz before carrying out strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites.

Iran later responded by launching missiles at what it described as U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. The U.S. military said it intercepted six ballistic missiles, while a seventh missile failed to reach its intended target.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil shipments passes, has become a focal point of regional tensions amid the escalating confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The exchange has raised concerns about the security of international shipping routes and the potential for further military escalation across the Gulf region.