Friday, July 17, 2026

U.S., Iran exchange fire near Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire

The United States and Iran again exchanged attacks near the Strait of Hormuz early on Thursday amid a ceasefire and ongoing negotiations on ending the war.

• May 28, 2026
U.S.-Iran war
U.S.-Iran war [Photo Credit: CBS News]

The United States and Iran again exchanged fire near the Strait of Hormuz early on Thursday amid a ceasefire and ongoing negotiations on ending the war.

The U.S. military attacked an Iranian position from which drones were being controlled, a U.S. official said.

U.S. forces also shot down four drones that posed a threat to the U.S., the official said, adding that the targeted position in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas had been preparing to launch a fifth drone.

“These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” the official said.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency cited a domestic military source as saying that a U.S. oil tanker had tried to pass through the strait with its radar system switched off.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on the tanker and forced it to turn back, the report said. The information provided by both sides could not initially be independently verified.

Iranian media had earlier reported sounds of explosions near Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan province, one of Iran’s most important military hubs in the Gulf region and along the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

However, there have been several exchanges of attacks around the Strait of Hormuz since then.

The IRGC said early on Thursday that it had attacked the U.S. air base from which the U.S. military had fired on an area near Bandar Abbas airport.

Kuwait reported coming under missile and drone fire.

“The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirms that any explosions that may be heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting hostile targets,” the military said in a statement published on X.

There was initially no information on possible damage or casualties.

The Kuwaiti military did not immediately say where the attacks had originated.

After the start of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, Tehran fired missiles and drones at Kuwait and other U.S.-allied Gulf nations.

The U.S. military maintains numerous bases around the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states have recently reported isolated renewed attacks, even with the ceasefire remaining formally in place.

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Olatunji Disu

States

IG Disu commends security agencies over rescue of Oriire abduction victims

He said it was time for all Nigerians to unite and support efforts to tackle insecurity.

States

Troops arrest suspected terrorist, rescue nine kidnap victims in Katsina

According to the operation’s spokesperson, the victims are being processed for reunification with their families.

BRICS

World

China’s digital experience can drive BRICS economic transformation: Expert

He said China could contribute to BRICS’ digital transformation in three key areas: digital infrastructure, e-commerce platforms and innovation coordination.

World

Eight killed, 34 missing in China landslide

Chinese authorities said more than 1,000 residents were evacuated from the affected area.

Garfield Sobers

Sport

Cricket icon Garfield Sobers dies at 89

He was knighted after retiring from the sport in 1974.

Oluyemisi Rosiji

Lagos

Lagos council chairman lauds community over voters’ awareness campaign

She said the committee’s efforts on registration, transfer, data correction and PVC validation support the administration’s drive to boost democratic participation in Ojokoro LCDA.