US shoots down Iranian drones in Strait of Hormuz hours after both sides express peace optimism
The US military intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian attack drones targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, just hours after Washington and Tehran signalled that a peace deal mediated by Pakistan could be imminent.
Drone interception
On Saturday June 13, US forces shot down multiple Iranian attack drones that were targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (Centcom) said. The drones were launched with the intent to strike vessels transiting the waterway, Centcom wrote on X, adding that all were downed and that maritime traffic remained "fluide" (smooth). The incident comes despite an earlier atmosphere of optimism over peace.
Peace deal near, both sides say
Hours earlier, the Iranian foreign minister, Pakistan's prime minister and a senior US official had all indicated that a deal to end the weeks-long Middle East war was within reach.
Peace has never been as close as it is today.
Iran's Abbas Araghchi told state TV that the agreement would be signed "as soon as the final stages of our negotiations are completed," possibly "in the coming days." He said the draft includes lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports and a new arrangement for managing the Strait. A senior US official put the chance of a framework memorandum opening 60 days of technical talks at 80 to 85%, but warned "the finish line has not been crossed."
Competing drafts and Trump's pushback
The two sides' versions of the text differ sharply. Iran's Mehr news agency published what it called a 14-point protocol, which would preserve Iran's control over the Strait, guarantee uranium enrichment rights and quickly unlock $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds. Washington's account is different.
The terms that Iran leaked to the lying media have NOTHING to do with the terms we agreed upon in writing.
The US official described the expected document as a Memorandum of Understanding.
Swiss venue and G7 backdrop
Switzerland has offered to host the signing ceremony, while a G7 summit with Trump begins Monday in Evian, France, near Geneva. Iran says the protocol will be signed "remotely" once finalised. The agreement, if reached, would also involve Lebanon, according to unnamed sources from both sides.
Conflict and oil markets
- US-Israeli strikes trigger the war
- Ceasefire enters into force
- Araghchi, Sharif express optimism; oil falls below $90
- US downs Iranian drones in Strait of Hormuz
The war began with US-Israeli strikes on 28 February, followed by a ceasefire on 8 April, leaving thousands dead, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and shaking the world economy. Oil slipped below $90 a barrel on Friday as markets bet on a deal.
