US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones that were targeting commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday, even as Washington and Tehran continued discussions on a proposed understanding covering Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the future of the strategic waterway.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said: "Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded. The international trade corridor remains open for transit."
According to Reuters, US forces intercepted and destroyed the drones after assessing them as a threat to commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. The incident marks the latest escalation in tensions around the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran.
The development came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the issues under discussion between Tehran and Washington. According to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, the talks cover Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said, "The first thing mentioned in the agreement is that the US naval blockade be lifted."
He further stated: "According to international law, not possible to collect tolls from the Strait of Hormuz, but service fees will be collected. Paying compensation to Iran is in plan."
The Iranian foreign minister also said the Strait of Hormuz remains under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman and added that "the future of the Strait of Hormuz will not be like the past". He indicated that Iran and Oman would soon issue a joint statement regarding the management of the waterway.
The latest security incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where commercial shipping has increasingly been caught in the crossfire of the US-Iran confrontation.
Earlier this week, three Indian sailors were killed after a US strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident was the third maritime security event involving commercial shipping in recent days.
The US military had also targeted MT Marivex and MT Settebello, both of which had Indian seafarers on board. Another vessel, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer carrying 20 Indian crew members, was attacked by US forces in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly violating the US blockade against Iran.
Following the incidents, the ministry of external affairs lodged a protest and summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks.
The current crisis traces its origins to the broader conflict that erupted after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran subsequently moved to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes. In response, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ships and ports on April 13.
Despite ongoing tensions and repeated military incidents, both Washington and Tehran have signalled that negotiations are continuing, with the future status of the Strait of Hormuz emerging as one of the central issues under discussion.
