Iran and US Exchange Air Strikes as Trump Rejects Hormuz Compromise

Iran targeted a US air base on Thursday following a US strike on what Washington identified as an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation comes as President Donald Trump dismissed a reported compromise deal with Tehran aimed at stabilizing the region.

Fragile Ceasefire Under Threat

The recent attacks, though limited, underscore the precarious nature of negotiations intended to transform the fragile ceasefire established in early April into a lasting agreement to end the ongoing conflict and restore access to the crucial shipping route.

A US official confirmed to Reuters that military forces intercepted four Iranian attack drones and targeted a ground control station in Bandar Abbas, which was preparing to launch a fifth drone. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the US actions as “measured, purely defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire.”

Iranian Response and Regional Tensions

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed responsibility for targeting the US base involved in an earlier attack near Bandar Abbas airport, according to Tasnim news agency. The IRGC did not specify the base but warned that any further aggression would elicit a “more decisive” response.

In Kuwait, which hosts a significant US military presence, officials reported responding to missile and drone attacks without disclosing their origins. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israel commenced strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Tyre, further complicating the regional landscape. The Lebanese army reported that an Israeli strike resulted in the death of one of its soldiers, while Israeli forces indicated that hostile aircraft incursions had triggered alarms in northern Israel.

Economic Implications and Oil Prices

The ongoing conflict has had severe implications for global energy markets, with oil prices rebounding as US crude futures increased by approximately 2.5% after experiencing a 5% decline on Wednesday. Concurrently, stock prices fell while the dollar strengthened.

Trump’s Stance on Strait Control

Trump reiterated his position that no single nation would control the Strait of Hormuz, responding to an Iranian state television report about a proposed agreement to restore commercial shipping to prewar levels within a month, with Iran and Oman jointly managing traffic.

He stated, “Nobody’s going to control (the strait). It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that, they’ll be fine.” Oman has remained silent regarding the proposal for joint control with Iran, although it has expressed a commitment to freedom of navigation.

Sticking Points in Negotiations

Iran continues to demand the release of Iranian funds, as noted by Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of its National Security Council. Key issues hindering negotiations include ongoing sanctions, the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which previously facilitated a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas traffic.

International law guarantees foreign vessels the right to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor. The US Treasury Department has added the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the Iranian entity responsible for managing passage through the strait, to its list of sanctioned organizations deemed threats to US national security.

Military Presence and Future Discussions

Iranian state media indicated that the draft agreement would also involve the withdrawal of US military forces from the region, although the White House dismissed this report as a “complete fabrication.” Tehran has not issued a comment on the matter.

The Iranian nuclear program, which the US seeks to dismantle, was not addressed in the Iranian state media report. Sources within Iran have suggested that discussions regarding the nuclear issue will occur in a subsequent round of negotiations, a prospect that may not be well-received by some of Trump’s closest supporters. Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized, “The bottom line is Iran’s never going to have a nuclear weapon.”

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-05-28 05:14:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk