US says shot down Iran drones in fresh escalation

The United States has said it shot down a pair of Iranian drones threatening the Strait of Hormuz, the latest escalation of violence as the war enters its 100th day with no end in sight. Weeks of indirect talks marked by tit-for-tat threats and sporadic exchanges of fire have failed to secure a deal to end the conflict or reopen the vital waterway, a chokepoint for Gulf oil and gas shipments. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it destroyed two Iranian drones "that threatened international maritim