Live updates: U.S. shoots down Iranian drones; Tehran says no final decision as Trump touts imminent deal

The U.S. military shot down two Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a U.S. official. Iranian state media separately reported that its military had stopped a tanker from passing through the strait, escalating tensions in the region. Former President Donald Trump stated he had canceled planned strikes on Iran after reaching a ‘very strong memorandum of understanding’ with Tehran, claiming the deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz would soon be finalized. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied any final decision had been made, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Israel was not a party to the memorandum. Iran’s official news agency IRNA revealed the draft agreement made no commitments on nuclear weapons or control of the Strait of Hormuz. The document proposed a 60-day negotiation period on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and compensation claims, while leaving the strait’s future administration to joint decisions with Oman—excluding the U.S. The draft also included an end to hostilities across fronts, such as Lebanon, and the release of some Iranian frozen assets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his alignment with Trump on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating Israel would not allow Iran to develop atomic bombs. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s efforts had prevented Iran from reaching that capability, despite Tehran’s insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted over 300 airstrikes in southern Lebanon over the past week, intensifying military operations in the region. Trump had previously threatened to seize Kharg Island and take control of Iran’s oil and gas industry but later backed away from the statement. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have been marked by contradictory signals, with Trump suggesting a deal was near while Iranian officials maintained no final agreement had been reached.