Iran war: US 'defensive' strikes target drones, port city command center
What you need to know
- The US military conducted another 'defensive' strike against Iran
- US forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in Bandar Abbas
Here are the latest developments from across the Middle East on Thursday, May 28:
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Skip next section Iran fires warning shots at ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz05/28/2026May 28, 2026Iran fires warning shots at ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
Iranian forces fired warning shots at four ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz without authorization, Iran's IRIB news agency reported on Thursday.
"They were warned, but after they ignored the warning, warning shots were fired at them, forcing them to return," IRIB said in a post on Telegram.
The shots were fired around 12:35 a.m. local time (2105 GMT Wednesday). No further details on the ships were provided.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EQqFSkip next section US sanctions Iranian authority collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz05/28/2026May 28, 2026US sanctions Iranian authority collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz
The US Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new agency collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move showed Tehran was "desperate for cash" after US economic pressure.
Washington also warned that anyone paying the fees could face sanctions for potentially supporting Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EQqDSkip next section Oil prices rise after new US strikes on Iran05/28/2026May 28, 2026Oil prices rise after new US strikes on Iran
Oil prices rose Thursday after fresh US strikes on Iran further strained a fragile ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Brent crude climbed nearly 2% to $96.13 a barrel, while US benchmark WTI gained 1.75% to $90.23.
The rebound followed sharp declines on Wednesday driven by hopes of a deal to prevent further escalation in the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for months.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EQqBSkip next section US strikes Iranian port city, drones05/28/2026May 28, 2026US strikes Iranian port city, drones
The US military shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas to prevent a fifth drone launch, US officials said on Wednesday.
The operation marked Washington's second day of "defensive" strikes against Iran this week amid fragile ceasefire talks over the nearly three-month conflict.
"These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire," an official told Reuters news agency.
The officials said the drones posed a threat near the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, the Pentagon said overnight US strikes on Monday targeted Iranian missile launch sites and mine-laying boats that threatened US forces and shipping lanes.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EQpuSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/28/2026May 28, 2026Welcome to our coverage
Shakeel Sobhan | Sean Sinico EditorHello! It's Thursday and the US military announced another "defensive" strike on Iran, this time targeting the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and shooting down four drones.
This comes a day after US President Donald Trump said the efforts to end the conflict with Iran were ongoing but that Washington was "not satisfied with" the peace deal.
Meanwhile, Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, confirmed on Wednesday that its leader, Mohammed Odeh, died in an Israeli strike.
Check back here for updates from across the wider Middle East.
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