New US-Iran clash erupts over Strait of Hormuz security

The U.S. ​military carried out new strikes overnight in Iran targeting ‌a military site and shooting down four Iranian one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz, a ​U.S. official told Reuters.

The official, who spoke ​on condition of anonymity, said the military site ⁠that was struck was an Iranian ground control station ​in Iran's Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a ​fifth drone.

The U.S. military strikes, which have not been previously reported, came during negotiations to end a three-month-old war that has killed thousands ​and sent global energy prices sharply higher since it ​began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on May 27 dismissed an Iranian state media report that Iran and Oman would jointly manage shipping ​through the ​Strait of Hormuz ⁠as part of a peace deal. Trump said the waterway would remain open.

The U.S. ​last carried out what it called defensive strikes ​against Iran ⁠on May 25, in what Iran called a violation of the countries' fragile ceasefire. The U.S. targets included boats attempting to ⁠lay ​mines and missile launch sites that ​the U.S. military's Central Command said posed a threat to U.S. forces. 

By Vafa Guliyeva