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Iran war: US 'defensive' strikes target drones, port city

Shakeel Sobhan AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa
May 28, 2026

The US military said it shot down four Iranian drones and struck a control center in the port city of Bandar Abbas in "defensive" strikes "intended to maintain the ceasefire." DW has more.

https://p.dw.com/p/5EQps
A US sailor signals a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft
On Tuesday, the US military's Central Command said it had carried out "self-defense" strikes in southern Iran [FILE: May 12, 2026]Image: U.S. Navy/Planet Pix/ZUMA/picture alliance
Skip next section What you need to know

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 US strikes Iranian port city, drones
May 28, 2026

US 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/5EQpu
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
May 28, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Hello! 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.

https://p.dw.com/p/5EQpt
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Shakeel Sobhan Covering politics, social, and environmental issues in India.@ainieas