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CENTCOM: Iran launches drones at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz

All aerial threats were downed as the waterway remains open for transit, the U.S. Central Command says.

Epic Fury
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 14, taxis on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as part of “Operation Epic Fury,” April 16, 2026. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Iran on Saturday fired multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Central Command said on X.

All drones were intercepted, leaving the traffic flow through the waterway unaffected, CENTCOM added.

On Friday, CENTCOM said that it continues to enforce the blockade on Iranian ports, having redirected 139 compliant commercial ships and disabled nine noncompliant vessels since April 13.

U.S. forces imposed a counter blockade on Iran after the latter closed the Strait of Hormuz to put pressure on global energy prices during its war with the United States and Israel that began on Feb. 28.

Statements made by U.S. and Iranian leaders in recent days suggest that a memorandum of understanding toward ending the conflict might be cemented in the coming days.

However, an Iranian official said the chances of a memorandum being signed in the next 24 hours are slim.
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