WASHINGTON: The US Navy said it has downed multiple one-way attack drones launched by Iran to target commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

It said US forces downed all of them in recent hours, and traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded.

The international trade corridor remains open for transit,” the CentCom said.

The CentCom said US forces continue to strictly enforce a blockade against Iran, redirecting 139 compliant commercial ships and disabling nine non-compliant ships.

In the past week, at least three ships with Indian seafarers onboard have been targeted by US forces, resulting in the deaths of three mariners.

India lodged a strong protest with the US, asserting that such lethal actions against commercial ships were not justified.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday and lodged a strong protest regarding the US Navy attacks in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.

Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified, Jaishankar said about his phone conversation with Rubio.