DUBAI, U.A.E.: The U.S. military said on May 28 that Iran broke a fragile ceasefire after Kuwait reported being attacked following an American strike on Iran.
This raised tensions and threatened ongoing talks to end the conflict.
U.S. Central Command said Kuwait stopped missiles fired from Iran late on May 27, calling it a serious violation of the ceasefire. Kuwait confirmed it was attacked, while Iran said it was responding to earlier U.S. strikes by targeting a U.S. base in a Middle Eastern country, without naming it. Kuwait strongly condemned Iran’s actions.
The situation escalated after U.S. forces carried out more strikes, including shooting down four Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and hitting a control site in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch another drone.
Both the U.S. and Iran have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire and have exchanged attacks during the week, though they are still holding talks and have not returned to full-scale war. U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes progress is being made in negotiations.
Earlier, on May 25, the U.S. said it carried out “self-defense” strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later confirmed an attack near Bandar Abbas and said it had responded by striking the base used for those attacks, without clearly saying if Kuwait was the target.
Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted incoming missiles and drones, but did not give details. Before the ceasefire began in April, Kuwait had faced repeated attacks from Iran and allied groups.
The conflict continues as the region remains tense, and peace talks are uncertain. The U.S. wants a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas, and to limit Iran’s nuclear materials. The war has been unpopular in the U.S., and the closure of the strait has caused oil and fuel prices to rise worldwide.
Iran, on the other hand, wants economic sanctions lifted and access to frozen funds to help its struggling economy. It also demands that any agreement include stopping Israel’s military actions in Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Although a ceasefire in Lebanon began in mid-April, it has been shaky. Israel has increased attacks after Hezbollah launched drone strikes on Israeli troops and towns near the border.
Tensions rose further when Israel carried out airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and in the city of Tyre, killing at least 14 people in southern Lebanon.
