CENTCOM Intercepts Iranian Missiles and Drones, Carry Out Strikes On Goruk and Qeshm Island

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. Central Command forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf neighbors on June 5.

Iran fired seven ballistic missiles launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain hours after CENTCOM shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones. The drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.

U.S. forces struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further maritime attacks, according to CENTCOM. Initial assessments indicate six of the missiles launched by Iran were intercepted and a seventh did not reach its intended target.

There are currently no reports of harm to U.S. personnel, and Iranian claims of damaging U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false according to a statenebt by U.S. Central Command, which says that CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and postured in continuing to Iranian missile and drone launches.

CENTCOM forces first intercepted and neutralized four Iranian one-way attack drones directed at the Strait of Hormuz.

The systems threatened commercial maritime traffic in a vital choke-point. Hours later, Iran launched seven ballistic missiles launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain.

U.S. and partner air defenses intercepted six, and the seventh failed to reach its target. U.S. forces then conducted “self-defense strikes” against Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites at Goruk and on Qeshm Island.

The strikes targeted assets that could support further attacks on maritime traffic.

A separate CENTCOM statement on June 5 addressed a separate Iranian claim that its forces had fired warning shots at U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman, forcing American vessels to retreat.

CENTCOM stated that Iranian forces did not attack or fire at U.S. Navy warships and that U.S. forces continue to operate freely in regional waters while fully enforcing the ongoing blockade against Iran.

No U.S. personnel were harmed in the June 5 engagements. Initial assessments remain preliminary.

U.S. and Partner Posture

U.S. forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to further Iranian missile and drone launches in self-defense. Additional CENTCOM activity in the region on June 5 included updates on the ongoing blockade enforcement, with U.S. forces having redirected 129 commercial vessels and disabled six to ensure compliance.

Partner nations including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates issued condemnations of the Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, describing them as violations of sovereignty and threats to regional security.

Official Statements

U.S. Central Command, Public Release, June 5: “U.S. forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf neighbors, June 5. Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain hours after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further maritime attacks. Initial assessments indicate six of the missiles launched by Iran were intercepted and a seventh did not reach its intended target. There are currently no reports of harm to U.S. personnel, and Iranian claims of damaging U.S. 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false. CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and postured to continue responding to unwarranted Iranian aggression in self-defense.”

U.S. Central Command, June 5 statement: “Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further attacks. American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense.”

U.S. Central Command, June 5 statement: “CLAIM: Iran claims it fired warning shots at U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman, forcing American vessels to ‘retreat’ toward the Indian Ocean. FALSE. TRUTH: Iranian forces did NOT attack or fire at U.S. Navy warships. Doing so would be a gross violation of the ceasefire. U.S. forces continue to operate freely in regional waters while fully enforcing the ongoing blockade against Iran.”

Kuwait Defense Ministry Spokesman Saud Abdulaziz al-Atwan, June 3: “These missiles were intercepted over several residential areas, resulting in some debris falling. This heinous Iranian aggression targeted civilian and vital facilities.”

Bahrain Defense Force General Command, June 3: “Bahrain’s Defence Force intercepted and destroyed three missiles and several drones targeting civilian sites in the kingdom. All military units remained at the highest levels of readiness and defensive preparedness to safeguard the country. Citizens and residents should avoid approaching or handling any suspicious or unidentified objects that may have resulted from the attacks and report them immediately to the relevant authorities.”

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, via statements reported June 3: “The American enemy targeted a communications tower belonging to the Revolutionary Guard south of Qeshm Island with its aerial projectiles. In response to this aggression, their airbase and helicopter centre in one of the countries of the region, as well as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet naval centre, were subjected to missile and drone attacks carried out by the IRGC Aerospace Forces.”