The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) says American forces intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and neighboring Gulf countries, marking another sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
According to a statement released early Saturday, CENTCOM claimed Iran launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain after losing four attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military said the drones posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways and were engaged before they could carry out further operations.
In response, American forces conducted strikes against what CENTCOM described as Iranian coastal radar installations used for maritime surveillance and targeting.
The command said radar sites in Gurk and on Qeshm Island were struck as part of what it characterized as a self-defense operation intended to protect regional shipping lanes and maintain freedom of navigation through the Gulf.
According to CENTCOM’s preliminary assessment, six of the seven ballistic missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, while the seventh failed to reach its intended target.
The U.S. military also rejected Iranian claims that American facilities in Bahrain had been damaged. CENTCOM stated that no U.S. personnel, military installations, or assets suffered casualties or damage during the incident.
“The United States will continue to defend its forces, partners, and international maritime traffic against threats in the region,” the command said in its statement.
The latest developments come amid one of the most serious periods of military tension between Iran and the United States in recent years. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy markets, with a significant share of the world’s oil exports passing through the narrow waterway every day.
Iranian authorities had earlier announced that they had targeted what they described as “enemy bases” in response to U.S. military actions against locations in southern Iran. However, Tehran and Washington have offered sharply different accounts regarding the results and impact of those operations.
The significance of the latest exchange extends beyond the immediate military claims. Both sides are now openly acknowledging direct military actions and countermeasures, a development that increases concerns about the possibility of a broader confrontation involving regional actors and critical maritime infrastructure.
While independent verification of the competing claims remains limited, the rapid sequence of strikes, interceptions, and retaliatory actions suggests that the confrontation has entered a more dangerous phase. Any further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could have consequences far beyond the battlefield, affecting global energy supplies, commercial shipping routes, regional security, and international markets. As both sides signal readiness for further action, diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict are likely to face increasing urgency.
