Iran has claimed its military opened fire on a fighter jet inside Iranian airspace after threatening retaliation over renewed United States strikes linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that its air defence forces targeted a fighter aircraft and also shot down an American MQ-9 drone.
The latest escalation followed fresh US military operations in southern Iran, which Washington described as defensive strikes against military positions.
According to the US military, the attacks were carried out to protect American forces amid growing tensions in the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the Strait of Hormuz must remain accessible, saying it would stay open “one way or the other.”
Rubio also suggested that negotiations between Washington and Tehran were still ongoing, although finalising the language of any agreement could “take a few days.”
Iran’s top negotiator and Foreign Minister were reportedly in Doha for discussions with Qatar’s prime minister as efforts continue to reach a possible peace agreement with the US and bring an end to the conflict that has lasted for three months.
Sources familiar with the talks said discussions focused heavily on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme would only be discussed after a broader framework agreement is reached.
US President Donald Trump recently warned that Iran “must understand” it cannot possess nuclear weapons as both countries move closer to a possible diplomatic breakthrough.
Although the US government has expressed optimism about securing a deal that could reopen the strategic waterway and end hostilities, Trump said his administration would “not be rushed.”
His comments came shortly after Rubio hinted that a major announcement could come “within hours.”
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly started lifting a government-imposed internet blackout that has remained in place for nearly three months.
State media said President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the restoration of international internet access on Monday, although independent monitoring groups claimed restrictions were still active in parts of the country.
The blackout was first introduced in February following attacks involving the US and Israel and came after earlier internet restrictions linked to anti-government protests.
Concerns over a wider conflict had intensified after Trump hinted that tensions with Iran could affect his personal schedule, including the possibility of missing his son’s wedding.
However, the US president later struck a more hopeful tone, revealing on Truth Social that an agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated.”
Trump also disclosed that he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations regarding what he described as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.”
