America shot down Iranian drone, Tehran retaliated

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday they targeted a US base near Bandar Abbas in response to US strikes, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

According to the IRIB, the Guards said, “The US air base, which served as the source of the attack, was targeted at 4:50 a.m. (0120 GMT), following aggression carried out by US forces using aerial projectiles at a location on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas airport this morning.”

The Revolutionary Guards did not disclose the location of the base that was attacked, but US ally Kuwait had earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks early Thursday.

The Israeli military said on Thursday it had begun attacking Hezbollah infrastructure around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, after issuing a call to residents to leave the area.

“IDF [Israel Defense Forces] The army has begun attacking Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of ​​Tyre, the army posted on Telegram.

Before the attacks, the IDF urged civilians near the targeted buildings to move north of the Zahrani River, saying that staying in the area “puts you in danger.”

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that Israeli strikes hit Tire and surrounding areas on Thursday morning, damaging a building and causing a fire.

Iranian forces fired warning shots at four ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without permission, Iran’s IRIB news agency reported Thursday.

“They were warned, but after ignoring the warning, warning shots were fired at them, forcing them to turn back,” IRIB said in a post on Telegram.

The shots were fired at around 12:35 local time (Wednesday 2105 GMT). No further details were given about the ships.

The US Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new agency to collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the fees showed Tehran was “desperate for cash” after US economic pressure.

US officials also warned that anyone paying the fee could potentially face sanctions for supporting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Oil prices rose on Thursday after fresh US attacks on Iran, further straining ongoing diplomatic efforts to seek a ceasefire and end the war.

Brent crude rose nearly 2% to $96.13 (€82.95) a barrel, while US benchmark WTI rose 1.75% to $90.23.

The sharp decline on Wednesday was driven by hopes of an agreement to prevent further escalation in the conflict, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for months.

US forces shot down four Iranian drones and attacked a control center in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas to intercept a fifth drone launch, US officials said on Wednesday.

The operation was the second day of Washington’s “defensive” strikes against Iran this week amid fragile ceasefire talks in the nearly three-month conflict.

“These actions were measured, completely defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” an official told Reuters news agency.

Officials said drones pose a threat near the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, the Pentagon had said US strikes overnight on Monday targeted Iranian missile launch sites and mine-laying boats, threatening US forces and shipping lanes.

hello! Today is 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.

A day before this, US President Donald Trump had said that efforts are on to end the conflict with Iran but Washington is “not satisfied” with the peace agreement.

Meanwhile, Hamas’ armed wing Al Qassam Brigades confirmed on Wednesday that its leader Mohammed Odeh was killed in an Israeli strike.

Check back here for updates from the broader Middle East.