Explosions Rock Strait of Hormuz Area as Iran Claims Downing US Drones
Explosions and fighter jets were reported near the Strait of Hormuz and Bandar Abbas, while the IRGC claimed to down US drones as Washington signals openness to a negotiated settlement with Iran.
Explosions were reported on Monday on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz and in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, with eyewitnesses observing fighter jets in the area, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Iranian reports claimed that several missiles struck air defense systems on Qeshm Island.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that Iranian air defense systems intercepted two US MQM-170 drones south of Qeshm Island and successfully seized them. They also claimed that an American MQ-9 drone was destroyed east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The reports of the explosions come against the backdrop of statements by US President Donald Trump regarding Iran. Trump claimed that oil prices dropped by nearly ten dollars a barrel amid assessments that a war with Tehran will not break out. In a social media post, Trump addressed the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran and clarified that it is still achievable.
US Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism earlier regarding the possibility of reaching a negotiated settlement with Iran. "The President and I feel pretty good about the prospects of reaching a negotiated settlement. We will continue to work in this direction," Vance said, adding, "We have definitely made some progress. We'll see if we can make further progress."
