Break: US Military confirms strike on southern Iran, three dead

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The US military confirmed a strike on southern Iran on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. US Central Command stated that its forces had targeted missile sites in southern Iran and vessels attempting to lay mines in waters believed to be the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

‘US forces carried out a defensive strike in southern Iran today to protect our forces from threats posed by Iranian forces,’ said Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, in a statement.

However, the US has not provided details of the operation. Neither the Pentagon nor President Donald Trump has commented further on the strikes, which occurred ahead of ongoing peace negotiations in Qatar.

Iranian outlets previously reported US fighter jet strikes on vessels and ports, which killed three Iranian sailors. Iranian media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas port on Monday local time.

According to SNN, the strikes on Iranian vessels took place south of Larak Island in the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under a dual US-Iran blockade. ‘At least three Iranian sailors have died,’ SNN reported, as cited by RT.

Media also reported a series of explosions in Bandar Abbas, where an Iranian naval base is located. The Pentagon has not confirmed the strikes, despite US military warnings of intervention in response to Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the strait.