The U.S. launched strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance sites after intercepting drones near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the latest escalation in the three-month conflict that continues to threaten global energy markets and regional stability.
The U.S. military said Saturday it shot down four Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz before launching retaliatory strikes against surveillance and radar facilities in Goruk and Qeshm Island, two strategic locations overlooking the critical shipping corridor.
A U.S. official told Reuters that military assessments suggested the drones were aimed at regional maritime traffic moving through the waterway, one of the world's most important routes for oil shipments.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded by targeting U.S. bases across the region with missiles and firing on four tankers attempting to pass through the strait without authorization.
Air defense systems in Gulf states were activated after reports of incoming projectiles.
Iran said it struck U.S. facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, while the U.S. military said six missiles were intercepted and another failed to reach its target.
The latest clashes come as Tehran has effectively restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil previously flowed.
Earlier this week, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 215-208 to approve a war powers resolution intended to restrict President Donald Trump's ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval.
On Friday, President Trump told NBC News that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly reduced but warned the threat remains.
"They have some missiles, they have some drones," Trump said. "It's a lot of missiles, but it's not what it was when we first attacked."
Iranian officials have tied any potential agreement to sanctions relief and access to billions in frozen assets, warning that further U.S. military action could deepen the conflict.
