WASHINGTON — May 26, 2026 : The United States military conducted targeted self-defense strikes against Iranian military assets in southern Iran on May 25, as diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran continued amid a fragile ceasefire, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The strikes targeted two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that were reportedly laying naval mines and a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site in Bandar Abbas that U.S. officials said had been tracking American aircraft operating in the region.
“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.”
CENTCOM stated that the operation was limited in scope and aimed at neutralizing immediate threats to U.S. personnel and military operations. The military did not disclose the platforms used during the strikes but confirmed that forces deployed under Operation Epic Fury remain positioned throughout the region to respond to emerging threats.
Targets in the Strait of Hormuz and Bandar Abbas
According to CENTCOM, the operation focused on two IRGC vessels actively engaged in laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors. U.S. officials said the activity posed a direct risk to regional security and commercial navigation.
In a separate engagement, U.S. forces struck a SAM site in Bandar Abbas after the system reportedly tracked and targeted American aircraft conducting operations over southern Iran and nearby waters.
U.S. fighter aircraft, including F-16s operating under “Project Freedom,” have continued armed patrols over the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to secure maritime routes and escort commercial shipping. While officials did not specify which assets carried out the May 25 operation, military aircraft and naval platforms already deployed in the region were available to respond.
Iranian Response and Drone Claims
Following the strikes, Iran’s Fars news agency published a statement attributed to the IRGC claiming Iranian air defenses had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone and fired on a second MQ-9 Reaper as well as a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
“The IRGC warns against any violation of the ceasefire by the invading American army and considers its right to reciprocal response both legitimate and certain,” the statement said.
CENTCOM has not commented on the Iranian claims, and no visual evidence or independent confirmation of a downed MQ-9 has emerged.
If verified, the reported drone loss would raise the number of MQ-9 Reaper drones lost since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury on February 28 to 25, based on figures cited in a recent Congressional Research Service report documenting 24 earlier losses.
Maritime Blockade and Economic Pressure
The strikes occurred as the United States continues enforcement of “Project Freedom,” a military mission launched on May 4 to secure the Strait of Hormuz and maintain a naval blockade around Iranian ports.
According to CENTCOM data released on May 23, U.S. forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels away from Iranian waters, disabled four ships accused of violating blockade measures, and permitted 26 humanitarian aid vessels to proceed.
“Our service members are doing extraordinary work,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. “They have been highly effective by executing the mission with precision and professionalism, allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports which has squeezed Iran economically.”
U.S. defense officials have also stated that earlier phases of Operation Epic Fury significantly reduced Iran’s conventional military capabilities, including missile systems and naval infrastructure, though no updated independent assessment has been publicly released.
Diplomatic Talks Continue
The military action took place during a critical stage of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.
Hours before the strikes, Iranian negotiators reportedly met with Qatari mediators acting on behalf of the United States as efforts continued to formalize an agreement aimed at ending the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that a diplomatic agreement may be close, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated additional negotiations scheduled for May 26 suggest a deal remains possible. Iranian officials, however, said a final agreement is not imminent.
One of the principal issues in the negotiations remains Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. The current U.S. position calls for the material to either be transferred immediately or destroyed inside Iran under joint coordination involving Iranian authorities and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The May 25 strikes occurred during a ceasefire that has remained in effect since early April following the main phase of Operation Epic Fury. U.S. officials described the latest operation as limited and defensive, intended to address immediate security concerns while avoiding disruption to the broader diplomatic process. It remains unclear whether the military exchange will affect negotiations in the coming days.
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