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The United States announced Saturday it intercepted multiple Iranian drones aimed at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. The interception occurred just hours after both Washington and Tehran indicated a deal to end the ongoing Middle East conflict was closer than ever.

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U.S. forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the drone launches, stating that U.S. forces successfully downed all of them. The command emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit, despite an Iranian-enforced blockade since the war began. This incident highlights the persistent tensions and potential for escalation even as diplomatic efforts appear to be progressing.

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The Strait of Hormuz -- a key maritime trade route for oil and gas from the Gulf -- "remains open for transit".

Weeks of mediated talks between Iran and the U.S., facilitated by Pakistan, have been fraught with threats and exchanges of fire. Despite these challenges, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism, referring to the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" as being "never closer." He detailed aspects of the purported agreement, including the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade and unspecified changes to the Strait of Hormuz's administration. Araghchi also stated that Iran's enriched uranium should be diluted within the country.

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The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer.

However, disagreements persist, with Iranian state media publishing details of the proposed deal that differ from Washington's account. A senior U.S. official acknowledged the ongoing complexities but voiced increased confidence in reaching an agreement soon, estimating the likelihood of signing within days at 80-85 percent, though not yet definitive.

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Peace has never been as close as it is now.