US downs Iran drones near Hormuz as war reaches 100th day

The United States announced that it had shot down two Iranian drones that were threatening the Strait of Hormuz, marking the latest escalation as the conflict entered its 100th day on Sunday.

The event followed a message delivered by Pakistan to Iran’s Supreme Leader, after weeks of indirect talks that had been punctuated by mutual threats and sporadic exchanges of fire.

Attempts to transform a ceasefire into a lasting settlement have repeatedly stalled, while the war has disrupted global markets and intensified pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections.

Signs of renewed diplomatic activity emerged over the weekend when Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran.

Naqvi announced that he would hand over a “special letter” from Pakistan’s army chief to Iran’s Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as a message from the prime minister concerning the current situation, according to Iranian state television.

Pakistan’s military leader, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has been a key figure in mediating talks between Iran and the United States, following a single round of direct negotiations in Islamabad.

“I think it’s a very important message,” said Naqvi, who frequently visits Iran.

His visit coincided with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reporting that it had destroyed two Iranian drones “that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” hours after announcing the destruction of four other drones and coastal surveillance radar sites.

– ‘Deadlock’ –

On Saturday, Tehran launched a salvo of missiles at U.S. allies Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting a strong response from the Gulf monarchies and adding pressure to the fragile ceasefire agreed on April 8.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the latest U.S. strikes as “flagrant” violations and denounced Washington’s “hostile and provocative behaviour.”

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, told CNN that negotiations with the U.S. were at a deadlock and that Trump must break it, while calling for the release of some $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Washington, however, may seek to use those funds to compensate Gulf allies for damage caused by Iranian strikes.

A source familiar with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s thinking said, “The Treasury will utilise all tools available to allow Iranian assets to be made available to our Gulf allies to support rebuilding and repairs for any future damage caused by Iran.”

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal departed for his own talks in Pakistan on Saturday, as Beirut also seeks a permanent end to the conflict between Israel and the Iran‑backed militant group Hezbollah.

Lebanon entered the war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2. Iran, in its peace negotiations with Washington, has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon and the Gulf are inseparably linked.

On Saturday, Lebanon reported that an Israeli strike in the country’s south killed three of its soldiers. Israel’s military said it was “reviewing the incident” and maintained that its campaign in Lebanon targeted Hezbollah, not government forces.

The Lebanese health ministry added that two women were also killed and 22 people wounded in an Israeli strike on Saksakiyeh in the south.

The Israeli military announced the death of two of its soldiers.

The ceasefire announced in April did not halt fighting in Lebanon, and a new conditional truce deal announced this week was flatly rejected by Hezbollah.

On Sunday, Israel’s military said it had intercepted two projectiles launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

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