US Strikes Iranian Vessels, Downs Drone as Revolutionary Guards Call War Return 'Unlikely'

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday that the possibility of a return to war with the United States is low. An IRGC official told state media that while Iranian forces remain prepared, they assess the risk of renewed conflict as minimal following US strikes in the Hormozgan region.

The comments came a day after Iranian state media reported explosions near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas close to the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Revolutionary Guards, their forces downed a US drone that had entered Iranian airspace and fired at an F-35 fighter jet. Iranian officials described the US action as targeting missile launch sites and boats attempting to emplace mines.

The Iranian foreign ministry said the US forces had committed a gross violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region over the past 48 hours. It added that Tehran would not leave any violation unanswered. The ceasefire between the two sides has been in place since April.

No comment was issued by the US government in the Iranian reporting carried by Al-Monitor, France 24 and AFP. The vessels' operators were not publicly identified in the Iranian statements quoted by the outlets.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed 31 people, including four children, according to the Lebanese health ministry. A truce between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17 has not ended the fighting. Iran has demanded that any peace accord also cover Lebanon.

Iranian state media reported that a top delegation returned from a two-day visit to Qatar on Tuesday. Officials said they were finalizing a 14-point framework for ending the war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday that Iran was ready to reach a respectful framework to end the war.

Stock markets were mixed on Wednesday amid guarded optimism that the United States and Iran could reach a deal.