CHIPPEWA FALLS Jun 6 : The US military said it shot down four Iranian drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and later struck Iranian coastal radar installations in response, escalating tensions amid an already fragile ceasefire.
US Central Command said the drones “posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic” and were intercepted before reaching their targets. In retaliation, US forces targeted radar sites, including one located on an island in the strategic waterway, describing the strikes as defensive measures to prevent further attacks.
The exchange marks the latest flare-up in a series of confrontations that have strained efforts to maintain a ceasefire and advance diplomatic talks. Earlier this week, Iranian drones reportedly damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport, killing one person and injuring dozens.
Despite the rising tensions, US President Donald Trump said the situation with Iran was “going quite well,” adding that Washington intended to resolve the standoff “quickly” through either a diplomatic agreement or stronger action if necessary.
Trump also said Iran still retains “21% to 22% of their missiles,” while acknowledging that negotiations remain difficult due to Tehran’s independence and resistance to external pressure.
Meanwhile, US-backed ceasefire efforts in the broader region face additional uncertainty. Israel and Lebanon recently agreed to a truce brokered in Washington, but Hezbollah has rejected the deal, and renewed violence in southern Lebanon has threatened to derail it. Israeli strikes on Friday reportedly killed nine people, while two Israeli soldiers were wounded in clashes.
Separately, US forces boarded a sanctioned Iranian-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, and Washington announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector, including individuals, firms, and shipping vessels.
