Srinagar, May 28: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed it had launched an attack on an “American airbase” in retaliation for fresh US strikes near the strategic Bandar Abbas port, amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
According to international media reports, the United States carried out strikes targeting an Iranian military site allegedly considered a threat to US forces and maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit corridor.
Iranian media reported that the strike near Bandar Abbas caused no casualties or major damage. However, the IRGC later announced retaliatory action, warning of “more decisive” measures if continued US “aggression” persists.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military said its air defence systems intercepted “hostile” missiles and drones, though officials did not specify the source or intended targets.
The developments come amid rising instability across the region, with Israel simultaneously intensifying military operations in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military issued forced displacement orders for residents across southern Lebanon, directing civilians to move north of the Zahrani River, around 40 kilometres from Israel’s border.
Israeli authorities declared all areas south of the river as “combat zones”, raising concerns over a wider escalation along the Lebanon-Israel frontier.
Humanitarian agencies have warned of an “absolute catastrophe” in southern Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli strikes and an expanding ground offensive, with fears growing over civilian displacement and worsening humanitarian conditions.
The diplomatic standoff between Washington and Tehran also appeared to deepen, with both sides issuing conflicting statements on possible negotiations to end the widening conflict. US President Donald Trump stated that Washington would not ease sanctions on Iran as part of any potential agreement, while Iranian officials continued to signal differing positions on diplomatic engagement.
