On Friday evening, the U.S. military downed four Iranian drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. This incident occurred amid ongoing tensions related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. U.S. Central Command stated that the drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic and that U.S. forces subsequently targeted Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to prevent further attacks.
CENTCOM described the drones as 'one-way attack drones' and emphasized that U.S. forces are prepared to respond to Iranian aggression in self-defense. This incident follows multiple escalations of violence, although the Trump administration maintains that the ceasefire, which has been in effect since April 8, remains intact and peace negotiations are ongoing.
The decision to down the drones coincided with a recent House vote aimed at limiting the president's military powers regarding Iran, with a vote of 215-208. President Donald Trump stated that if Iran were to attack U.S. troops, it would justify resuming military strikes against Iran.
Earlier in the week, CENTCOM had also intercepted Iranian strikes aimed at Kuwait and Bahrain and conducted strikes on Qeshm Island in response. The war powers resolution approved by the House restricts a president's military actions to 60 days without Congressional authorization, with a possible 30-day extension. The White House argues that the ongoing ceasefire means the conflict has not reached the resolution's threshold for military action.
