Washington, United States. United States forces shot down Iranian drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters and a US Central Command briefing. US officials said the drones posed a threat to commercial shipping as Washington and Tehran reported progress in negotiations aimed at ending the war.
US says drones targeted commercial vessels
An official speaking to Reuters on Friday on condition of anonymity said the Iranian drones threatened commercial shipping in the area.
According to US Central Command, Iran launched kamikaze drone attacks “in an effort to strike commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz” while Washington and Tehran were reporting progress in negotiations.
CENTCOM said in a post on social media platform X that “US forces shot them all down in recent hours” and that ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz “continues unhindered.”
The command also said Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the strait and that the international trade corridor remained open.
Trump issues warning
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday to stop drone attacks against commercial ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, saying the Iranians “better shape up, and fast!”
Negotiations continue amid differing accounts
The incident occurred as Tehran, with Pakistan mediating, and Washington expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement to end the war in the Middle East after weeks of negotiations.
However, the versions of a possible compromise presented by Iranian media and Washington differed significantly.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that once the final stages of the negotiations were completed, the agreement would be signed and announced.
“This could happen within the coming days. I am optimistic,” he said.
Araghchi said the draft agreement provided for the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports and a new form of management for the Strait of Hormuz. He also accused Israel of seeking “pretexts” to “derail” a potential agreement with Washington.
