IRIA News

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The United States launched fresh military strikes in southern Iran on May 26, 2026, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats allegedly attempting to place naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command.

Washington described the attacks as “self-defense” operations carried out to protect American forces during the ongoing ceasefire between the two countries. The strikes reportedly focused on areas near Bandar Abbas, a key Iranian port city that hosts a major naval base overlooking the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement.

Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and nearby coastal areas, though Tehran had not officially confirmed the extent of the damage. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later warned it would “respond decisively” to any violation of the ceasefire and claimed U.S. drones had entered Iranian airspace over the Gulf region.

The Guard also claimed it shot down an American MQ-9 drone and forced another drone and an F-35 fighter jet to retreat. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to those claims.

The latest strikes come despite continued diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of conflict between the United States and Tehran.

Fighting erupted earlier this year after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks across the Middle East and led Iran to effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. The disruption sent global oil prices sharply higher and intensified fears of a wider regional war.

Rubio says Deal is Still Possible

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran were still moving forward despite the latest military action. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said talks involving Iranian negotiators and Qatar’s leadership were continuing, and that progress was still possible.

“We’ll see if we can make progress. I think it’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it’ll take a few days,” Rubio told reporters.

He added that President Donald Trump remained committed to reaching an agreement. “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio said.

Rubio also stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international shipping. “The straits have to be open. They’re going to be open one way or the other,” he said, calling Iran’s actions in the waterway “unlawful” and “unsustainable for the world.”

The Strait of Hormuz carries a significant share of global oil exports and is considered one of the most strategically important maritime chokepoints in the world.

Iran says Agreement ‘Not Imminent’

Iranian officials signaled that negotiations were progressing but warned that a final agreement was still far from complete. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai said many issues had been resolved, but insisted no immediate breakthrough should be expected.

“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqai said. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim.”

According to reports, the memorandum currently under discussion includes a proposed 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Several major disputes remain unresolved, including sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and U.S. demands that Tehran curb its uranium enrichment activities.

At the start of the conflict, Iran was believed to possess roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level considered technically close to weapons-grade material.

Trump said Monday that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile would either be transferred to the United States for destruction or dismantled inside Iran under international supervision.

“The material will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, destroyed in place,” Trump said on social media.

Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

Regional Tensions Remain High

The latest confrontation highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8. Although large-scale fighting has slowed, clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces have continued in and around the Gulf.

Earlier this year, both sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. forces also seized an Iranian cargo vessel accused of supporting military operations.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, also issued a defiant message on Tuesday, warning that the United States would no longer have “safe havens” in the Middle East. “The ticker of time will not go back,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by Iranian media.

Meanwhile, Qatar has emerged as a central mediator in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, hosting discussions involving senior Iranian officials as efforts continue to prevent the conflict from escalating again.

Oil markets reacted cautiously to the latest developments. U.S. crude prices fell slightly while Brent crude rose more than 2%, reflecting continued uncertainty over the future of Gulf shipping and global energy supplies.