Air defences engaged drones over Qeshm island, Iran says

Air defences engaged drones over Qeshm island, Iran says Iranian authorities said loud sounds heard on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz were caused by air defences “confronting” drones, denying reports of explosions or damage on the strategic island. Officials in Hormozgan province said the sounds were linked to air defence systems responding to small and reconnaissance drones, according to Iran’s Student News Network. The statement followed reports of explosions on Qeshm Island, which sits along the contested Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. Despite the ceasefire with the United States, Iranian air defences have reportedly intercepted drones several times in recent weeks, including incidents over Tehran, amid continued regional tensions. Traditional wooden ships on Iran’s Qeshm island in the Gulf, 29 April 2023. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

Iranian authorities said loud sounds heard on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz were caused by air defences “confronting” drones, denying reports of explosions or damage on the strategic island.

Officials in Hormozgan province said the sounds were linked to air defence systems responding to small and reconnaissance drones, according to Iran’s Student News Network.

The statement followed reports of explosions on Qeshm Island, which sits along the contested Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.

Despite the ceasefire with the United States, Iranian air defences have reportedly intercepted drones several times in recent weeks, including incidents over Tehran, amid continued regional tensions.