Military destroys 2 Iranian boats attempting to steal a drone ship

The U.S. military said Tuesday it opened fire and destroyed two small Iranian boats this week after they attempted to seize a U.S. drone ship in waters off Iran. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said the boats tried to take possession of the unmanned surface vessel but were unsuccessful following CENTCOM’s response. Iranian state media reported Monday that a pair of fishing boats came under attack in Hormozgan province on Iran’s southern coast, and that several fishermen were reported missing, citing a provincial official. The incident is part of a broader standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. efforts in recent weeks loosening Iran’s grip on a critical energy shipping corridor.