Iran says it targeted American base after fresh US strikes

May 28, 2026

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a missile attack on a U.S. air base in Kuwait following American strikes on Iranian military positions in Bandar Abbas and the interception of Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz. Both nations claim the other violated a fragile ceasefire, with the U.S. characterizing its actions as defensive measures while Iran vows to protect its sovereignty. The escalating tensions occur amid stalled peace negotiations to end a three-month conflict that has severely disrupted global energy trade through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas normally passes.

Who is affected

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
United States military forces and U.S. Central Command (Centcom)
Kuwait and Kuwaiti military forces
President Donald Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai
Persian Gulf Strait Authority (Iranian body)
Commercial shipping companies and thousands of stranded tanker ships
Israel (involved in war against Iran)
Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon
Gulf nations being urged to join Abraham Accords
Global energy markets and trade

What action is being taken

The U.S. is shooting down Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz
Kuwait is intercepting hostile missile and drone threats
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Iran's "Persian Gulf Strait Authority"
Iran is collecting fees from ships for "navigational services" through the Strait of Hormuz
Protracted negotiations are taking place to end the three-month war
Iran is managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz waterway

Why it matters

This conflict directly threatens global energy security, as the Strait of Hormuz normally handles one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas traffic, and its closure has already impacted worldwide fuel trade and caused energy prices to surge. The escalating military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran jeopardize a fragile ceasefire and risk expanding into a broader regional war, particularly given Israel's simultaneous conflicts with Iran and Hezbollah. The breakdown in negotiations and renewed hostilities could lead to resumed large-scale bombing campaigns, further destabilizing the Middle East and potentially causing severe economic consequences for the global economy dependent on energy flowing through this critical maritime chokepoint.

What's next

President Trump may decide whether to "go back and finish" the military campaign
The U.S. is willing to resume strikes if an agreement is not reached
Trump has threatened to resume a large-scale bombing campaign if Iran does not agree to his terms
Iran will "take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty"
Gulf nations are being urged to sign on to the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel

Read full article from source: BBC