U.S. Strikes Iran's Mine-Laying Ships; Iran Says It Downed MQ-9 Drone on May 25–26

According to the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. military conducted limited airstrikes on Iranian targets in the southern region near the Strait of Hormuz on May 25 as a self-defense measure. The strikes targeted Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites. A U.S. official stated that two Iranian ships were detected installing mines in the Strait of Hormuz before the attack was carried out, and that strikes on an Iranian missile base targeting U.S. combat aircraft were also executed.

In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on May 26 that it identified and shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone that violated Iranian airspace, and fired on an RQ-4 drone and F-35 fighter jet, forcing them to retreat. The IRGC characterized the U.S. military actions as provocations and warned of the right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations.