28 May,2026 08:46 AM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
The United States carried out fresh overnight strikes inside Iran, targeting what Washington described as a military site posing a threat to American forces and commercial shipping in the region, according to multiple US media reports.
The strikes marked another escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, even as both sides continue indirect negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security issues.
According to CBS News, citing a US official, American forces also intercepted drones launched from Iran during the latest confrontation.
The official described the operation as "defensive" and maintained that the existing ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran was still considered active despite the overnight military action.
The US has not yet publicly disclosed the precise location of the targeted site or the extent of the damage caused by the strikes. However, the development is likely to add further uncertainty to already fragile diplomatic efforts between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported explosions near the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, located along the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes.
Iran's Fars news agency said three explosions were heard east of Bandar Abbas at around 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The report added that Iranian air defence systems were activated shortly after the explosions. Authorities were investigating the source of the blasts, though no official confirmation was immediately issued regarding the target or possible casualties.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategically important waterway through which a significant portion of global oil exports passes. Any military escalation in the area often raises concerns about disruptions to international energy supplies and maritime security.
The latest strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump said his administration would not rush into a nuclear agreement with Iran due to domestic political pressure linked to the upcoming US midterm elections.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump claimed Iran believed it could delay negotiations in the hope that political pressures would weaken Washington's stance.
"They thought they were going to outwait me," Trump said. "I don't care about the midterms."
Trump also indicated that the United States remained dissatisfied with the current terms being discussed during negotiations and warned that military action could resume if an agreement acceptable to Washington was not reached.
"We're not satisfied with it, but we will be," Trump said. "Either that or we'll have to just finish the job."
The White House earlier rejected an Iranian media report claiming that a draft understanding between the two countries had already been prepared.
According to Iran's state-run IRIB TV, the reported draft framework allegedly included the withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran and the lifting of restrictions affecting Iranian ports.
However, the White House dismissed the report as "a complete fabrication."
Trump also ruled out the possibility of offering sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for Tehran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
"No, not at all. Not sanctions relief," Trump said when asked whether sanctions relief was part of the current framework under discussion.
(With inputs from IANS)
