AFP teams in Tehran, Washington, Dubai and JerusalemAFP·13 Jun, 2026 04:22 AM4 mins to readThe US downed Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo / Abbas Fakih, AFPThe United States said it downed multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz today, hours after both sides said a deal to end the Middle East war was closer than ever.

The interception came after weeks of halting talks between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Pakistan,