New clashes between the United States and Iran have further strained already fragile negotiations aimed at ending the nearly three-month war, while Israel sharply escalated its military campaign in southern Lebanon with expanded strikes and mass evacuation orders.
The latest tensions erupted overnight after the United States carried out what American officials described as “defensive” strikes inside Iran. According to US officials speaking anonymously, American forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck a ground control station near Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch another drone.
One US official told Reuters the operation was “measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire.” The strikes marked the second direct US military action against Iran within a week.
Iranian media later confirmed explosions near Bandar Abbas but claimed there had been no casualties or serious damage. Tehran responded within hours. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had targeted what they described as an American airbase used in the earlier attack. While the Guards did not specify the location of the base, Kuwait shortly afterward confirmed that its air defenses were intercepting incoming missile and drone threats.
