CENTCOM says it struck radar sites in Iran, shot down drones
CENTCOM says it intercepted four Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck radar sites in Iran, in yet another aggression amid a claimed ceasefire.
-
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier and a United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, conduct joint exercises in the Arabian Sea, on June 1, 2019. (US Navy via AP)
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces intercepted and destroyed four what it claimed were Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the unmanned systems posed an “immediate threat” to regional maritime traffic.
In a statement, CENTCOM said US forces later carried out strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, describing the aggression as a defensive measure intended to prevent further attacks.
“American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense,” the statement said.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy shipments, has repeatedly been a flashpoint amid the US war on Iran. No immediate Iranian response to the CENTCOM statement was available at the time of publication.
The incident comes amid continuing military and diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran, following previous exchanges of strikes and a fragile ceasefire.
IRGC responds to US violations
Soon after, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Public Relations Office said that the IRGC Aerospace Force is striking US bases in the Gulf after US aggression targeted the two islands.
Kuwaiti and Bahraini air defense systems are currently engaging incoming missile and drone attacks, as regional airspace disruptions and security alerts spread across parts of the Gulf.
“The air defenses are currently confronting missile attacks and drones,” the Kuwaiti army said in a brief statement.
Sirens were reported across Kuwait and Bahrain as authorities activated emergency response protocols. Flights bound for Kuwait were diverted to alternative destinations following the incident, according to early reports.
Read more: Satellite images show impact of Iran strikes on Gulf US bases