A fragile ceasefire in the Middle East was shaken on Thursday after the United States launched attacks against Iran, prompting Tehran to respond with a retaliatory strike against a US military base
This was the most serious confrontation since the truce agreement came into effect in April and threatens to complicate diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
It all began when Iranian forces fired on four ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iranian security authorities.
The state broadcaster IRIB reported that the boats were warned but ignored the warnings.
After warning shots, the vessels were forced to retreat.
The incident occurred around 00:35 local time and highlighted the control Iran seeks to exert over this important waterway, essential for the global transport of oil and gas.
In response, the United States acted swiftly.
US forces struck a ground control station in the southern port region of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained to AFP that the military also shot down four Iranian attack drones and destroyed the station before a fifth drone could be launched.
The actions were described as “defensive and proportionate measures,” aimed at protecting troops and maintaining the ceasefire.
Three explosions were heard east of Bandar Abbas, and Iranian air defenses were activated.
Iran quickly retaliated.
A spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the country attacked the US base from which the bombing of Bandar Abbas originated.
Although it did not give details about the exact location, the Kuwaiti Army-a US ally-reported that its air defenses were activated against “enemy” threats, including missiles and drones.
Explosions were heard in the country, but resulted from successful interceptions.
Kuwait had already been the target of attacks by Iranians and Shiite militias in the past, during the conflict.
This episode marks the second escalation of violence this week.
On Monday, the US had already attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats attempting to plant mines, also in actions classified as defensive.
The Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had made veiled threats after these incidents.
Now, for the first time since the beginning of the ceasefire, Iran has responded directly to the Americans, which could increase tensions just as the parties are trying to negotiate an agreement to suspend the conflict.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the end of the war is near, but acknowledged, in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, that he is still not satisfied with the progress of the talks.
The United States seeks a pact that prevents Iran from enriching uranium and allows for the removal of a stockpile of material already close to nuclear weapons level.
On the other side, Iran demands the unfreezing of its financial assets blocked by the US and the easing of sanctions.
The Strait of Hormuz has become the central point of the discussions.
Iran effectively blocked the strait shortly after the start of the American and Israeli attacks in February, which seriously affected global energy markets.
An agreement under negotiation aims to restore full traffic through the waterway, which is protected by international law.
However, Iran has announced the creation of a state authority to oversee the strait, which many see as a way to collect tolls.
The US reacted with new sanctions against this agency, accusing it of supporting the Revolutionary Guard.
Despite the exchanges of fire, negotiations continue through Pakistani mediation.
Iran also insists that any peace agreement must include Lebanon, where the April ceasefire failed to completely stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group.
Oil prices rose on Thursday following news of the attacks, reversing some of the previous day’s decline, which had been driven by expectations of an imminent agreement.
This new wave of violence shows how unstable the ceasefire is and how the Strait of Hormuz remains a high-risk region.
While diplomats work to prevent further escalation, the world watches closely, concerned about the impacts on the global economy and energy security.
The balance between defense and diplomacy will be crucial in determining whether peace can be consolidated or whether the conflict will intensify again.
Iran fires at ships, the us attacks iran, provoking retaliation against an american base in kuwait.#Iran
— Israel is Real?????? (@IIsraelisReal) May 28, 2026
A fragile ceasefire in the Middle East was shaken on Thursday after the United States launched attacks against Iran, prompting Tehran to respondhttps://t.co/uuHkxxm0uj pic.twitter.com/IY9mtTCrrG
Published in 05/28/2026 12h11
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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