Iran war: US downs Iranian drones, Tehran retaliates
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
- Iran says US base targeted in retaliation for American strikes
- US sanctions Iranian authority collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz
- Israel says military struck 'Hezbollah infrastructure' in southern Lebanon
- Oil prices rise after new US strikes on Iran
Here are the latest developments from across the Middle East on Thursday, May 28:
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Skip next section What to know if you're just joining us05/28/2026May 28, 2026What to know if you're just joining us
Here's a recap of the main developments so far on Thursday, as the ceasefire between the US and Iran faces one of its toughest tests in weeks:
- For the second time in three days, the US strikes targets on Iran's southern coast
- Washington says the strikes, which shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in Bandar Abbas, were 'defensive'
- Oil prices surge again following the US attacks
- Iran says it fired warning shots at four ships trying to sail through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz
- The strategic waterway was the conduit for a fifth of the world's energy supplies before the war
- Iran says it fired retaliatory strikes against a US airbase
- While Iran's Revolutionary Guards haven't disclosed the base's location, US ally Kuwait said earlier on Thursday that it was responding to Iranian drone and missile fire
- The latest escalation comes after weeks of stalled talks, and only days after Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that a deal with Iran was close to being agreed
Iran says US base targeted in retaliation for American strikes
Elizabeth Schumacher EditorIran's Revolutionary Guards said Thursday they targeted a US base in retaliation for American strikes near Bandar Abbas, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
"Following this morning's aggression by the invading US military against a location on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport using aerial projectiles, the American air base that served as the source of the attack was targeted at 4:50 am (0120 GMT)," the Guards said, according to IRIB.
The Revolutionary Guards did not disclose its location of the base that was attacked but Kuwait, a US ally, said earlier it was responding to missile and drone attacks early on Thursday.
Peace efforts continue as US carries out Iran strikes
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https://p.dw.com/p/5EQrPSkip next section Israel says military struck 'Hezbollah infrastructure' in southern Lebanon05/28/2026May 28, 2026Israel says military struck 'Hezbollah infrastructure' in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said Thursday that it had begun attacking Hezbollah infrastructure around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre after issuing calls for residents to leave the area.
"The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Tyre," the military posted on Telegram.
Ahead of the strikes, the IDF urged civilians near targeted buildings to move north of the Zahrani River, saying remaining in the area "places you at risk."
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli strikes hit Tyre and nearby areas Thursday morning, damaging a building and sparking a fire.
Israel escalates operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon
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https://p.dw.com/p/5EQrASkip 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 at about 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 fees showed that Tehran is "desperate for cash" after US economic pressure.
US officials 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 (€82.95) 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 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 in 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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