U.S. Says It Shot Down Iranian Drones Near Strait of Hormuz

The United States said it shot down two Iranian drones that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command stated the drones were destroyed hours after U.S. forces struck four additional drones and coastal surveillance radar sites.

The strikes mark the latest escalation as the conflict enters its 100th day. Weeks of indirect talks have failed to produce a deal to end the fighting or reopen the waterway, a key route for Gulf oil and gas shipments.

Iran launched seven ballistic missiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait on Saturday, according to U.S. Central Command. Six were intercepted and one fell short. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted enemy bases in the area. Bahrain denounced the attacks as blatant aggression.

Kuwait described them as a dangerous escalation. In Bahrain's capital, residents heard three explosions after air raid sirens sounded. In Kuwait, repeated blasts were reported near the international airport.

A shaky ceasefire was agreed on April 8.

The latest exchanges have added pressure on efforts to turn the truce into a lasting settlement. Iran's foreign ministry called the U.S. strikes flagrant violations and condemned Washington's hostile and provocative behavior. Efforts to secure the release of frozen Iranian assets remain deadlocked.

Lebanon called on Iran to stop interfering in its affairs. An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed three soldiers, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel's military said it was reviewing the incident. >"We woke up to a huge explosion.