Commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz came under apparent threat Thursday night after Iran launched drones toward vessels moving through the narrow waterway, according to a senior U.S. defense official.
The official said U.S. military forces intercepted and destroyed two Iranian one-way attack drones before they could reach their targets.
“It appears Iran has attempted to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz tonight,” the official said. “U.S. forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones.”
Despite the attempted attack, maritime traffic through the strait reportedly continued without major disruption.
The incident unfolded just hours after Donald Trump projected confidence that a formal agreement with Tehran could soon be finalized, repeatedly signaling that the conflict was effectively winding down.
Trump said earlier Thursday that a deal with Iran could be signed within days and predicted the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be part of the broader agreement.
The latest confrontation threatens to complicate that messaging and raises fresh concerns about the fragile stability surrounding one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making any military activity in the region a major concern for international markets and global shipping companies.
The attempted drone attack also underscores lingering tensions between Washington and Tehran despite ongoing diplomatic efforts following months of escalating military conflict in the region.
U.S. forces shot down two Iranian attack drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz just hours after President Trump said he had called off planned strikes on Iran.
The incident comes as Washington and Tehran continue negotiating a potential agreement aimed at… pic.twitter.com/gWDXMdPraY
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