US says it 'downed' multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
US forces have “downed” several Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the military said late Friday.
“Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the region, posted on X.
CENTCOM insisted that the strait “remains open for transit.”
US forces shoot down Iranian drones near Strait of Hormuz
US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday, in the latest military flare-up even as Washington and Tehran cite progress in peace talks.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the drones had posed a threat to commercial traffic.
President Donald Trump had warned Iran earlier on Friday against firing more drones at ships attempting to transit the Strait, saying Tehran “better get their act together, and FAST!”
Aragchi wants deal to allow Tehran to charge trips for passage through Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships "for services rendered" when they transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has imposed a toll system during the war, which the US and other nations say violates international law.
"There will be costs involved," Araghchi said, "and those costs must be paid."
Israeli and Palestinian groups met in France to appeal for two-state solution
Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups delivered an appeal in France on Friday to urge the international community not to abandon a two-state solution, as Paris seeks to keep the issue alive amid the Middle East war.
The meeting brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries alongside civil society groups. It marks one year since the UN-backed New York Declaration, which set out a roadmap towards Palestinian statehood and prompted around a dozen countries, including France, Britain and Canada, to recognise a Palestinian state.
"We could find every reason in the world to give up. But you are here! Your testimonies alone are grounds for hope and action," France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told 250 civil society representatives from both sides.
"France refuses to let the side of war prevail over the side of peace."
Araghchi says US-Iran deal could happen 'in the coming days'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that upon finalisation, a draft deal with the United States would be signed "remotely", which could happen "in the coming days."
"As soon as the final stages of our negotiations are completed, this agreement will be signed and announced. The signing will initially take place digitally. Each side will sign remotely. After that, it will be announced that this memorandum of understanding has been signed by both parties," said Araghchi in an interview with state television.
"This could happen in the coming days. I am very hopeful."
Welcome to the France 24 liveblog covering events in the Middle East. You can catch up on yesterday's developments here.
Yesterday's key developments:
• Iranian media reported what it said were some of the terms for a potential ceasefire deal with the US, including a 60-day negotiation period to agree to a nuclear deal, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and the permanent cessation of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
• US President Donald Trump posted a message lashing out at "very dishonourable" Iranians in response to Iran's reports on an alleged deal.
• An Iran-linked hacker group called Handala claimed to have breached FBI drones and threatened to target the 2026 World Cup.
