US forces intercept Iranian drones targeting shipping in Hormuz

US forces intercepted and shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attempted to target commercial vessels transiting the waterway, Fox News reported on Friday.

Iranian state media said that explosion sounds in Sirik are linked to a clash with a vessel breaching the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the vessel was an oil tanker forced to follow the Strait of Hormuz traffic ban after a warning from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC said on Thursday that the country is stronger than ever and ready to deliver a "decisive, immediate, painful and regret-inducing response" to any aggression.

Market reaction

At the time of writing, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is up 0.16% on the day at $85.31.