As last-minute negotiations for an end to the war between the United States and Iran were underway, the cease-fire effectively collapsed. U.S. forces re-struck a military base in southern Iran, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also attacked a U.S. Air Force base, confronting each other. With both countries fiercely arguing that the other violated the cease-fire, talks to end the war appear to be faltering.
In the early morning on the 28th (local time), U.S. forces bombed a ground control station in the port city of Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. They said it threatened merchant shipping. The U.S. military also said it shot down four Iranian drones that posed a threat. Earlier on the 25th, U.S. Central Command attacked the Bandar Abbas base, citing the "exercise of self-defense."
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a statement that day, "We strongly condemn the U.S. military aggression against Bandar Abbas carried out early this morning (the 28th)," adding, "The United States is habitually violating the cease-fire agreed on Apr. 8." He noted, "The U.S. military's provocations targeting merchant ships in the Gulf region and on the high seas, and the airstrikes in southern Iran, are acts of aggression that seriously violate the cease-fire."
Iran immediately hit back. The IRGC attacked an air base in response to the U.S. strike that day. The location of the U.S. Air Force facility was not disclosed, but a missile attack was detected in Kuwaiti airspace, where a U.S. base is located, the same day, leading to reports that Kuwait was likely the target. Labeling any additional U.S. airstrikes as aggression, the IRGC said, "If this is repeated, more decisive responses will follow. The responsibility for the consequences lies with the 'aggressor.'"
U.S. Central Command also said, "At 10:17 p.m. on May 27 Eastern time (5:47 a.m. on the 28th Iran time), Iran launched one ballistic missile toward Kuwait, and Kuwaiti forces successfully intercepted it," adding, "The Iranian regime's heinous and brutal violation of the cease-fire came just hours after Iranian forces launched five explosive-laden drones that posed a clear threat in and around the Strait of Hormuz."
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump led a Cabinet meeting at the White House that day and said, "Iran very much wants to make a deal. (But) so far they have not reached a level that satisfies us."
He continued with hard-line remarks. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump said, "We will ensure not only that all countries can use it, but also that under international rules no one can control it." In particular, on a plan for Iran to jointly control the strait with neighboring Oman, he warned, "Oman will act like other countries," adding, "If not, we will blow them away."
As for unfreezing assets or easing sanctions, which Iran has demanded, President Trump dismissed the idea, saying, "We are not talking about regulatory relief or giving money." He added, "We will return it when they act properly and do the right thing."