Day 88 | US hits Iran with new strikes, despite ceasefire

This live thread has ended. Follow our online coverage of day 89 of the war.

Read more: Day 89 | Iran accuses US of breaking truce after new strikes

• CENTCOM says strikes were defensive.
• US targeted missiles and naval mine threats.
• Iran accuses 'Israeli' jets of joint attack with US.

A precarious quiet has settled over southern Iran's coastal frontier after a series of intense US airstrikes disrupted the region.

Nearly 24 hours after the initial kinetic engagements, Iranian State Television reported that the situation in the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas has returned to a thoroughly "calm and normal" state, with daily activities resuming under a watchful eye.

On the ground, the immediate humanitarian toll from the bombardment appears to have stabilized for the time being.

According to a report published by Fars News Agency, which cited data from Iranian State Television, the official death toll remains stagnant at four fatalities.

Local medical and defense authorities noted that while the definitive, overall casualty count from the impacted zones has still not been fully clarified, no additional deaths rather than the four that have been registered overnight.

Washington alleges 'self-defense'

Providing the strategic rationale behind the operation, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) told Al Jazeera that American forces executed the targeted strikes strictly in "self-defense" across multiple sectors in southern Iran.

The CENTCOM spokesperson explained to Al Jazeera that the decision to authorize the air campaign was triggered by a necessity to shield US military personnel from escalating, direct threats posed by Iranian forces.

According to the command's disclosure, the precision strikes successfully hit and neutralized active Iranian missile launchers and naval boats that were actively attempting to lay mines in the surrounding waters.

Expanding on the operational timeline, a US official told Al Jazeera that Iran had repeatedly attempted to attack American military positions over a 24-hour window.

However, the US official emphasized to Al Jazeera that these hostile Iranian maneuvers were entirely unsuccessful, resulting in zero injuries or casualties among American service members.

The CENTCOM spokesperson further reiterated to Al Jazeera that Washington intends to maintain an posture of active defense for its forces.

Balancing operational readiness with continued restraint throughout the parameters of the active regional ceasefire.

Tehran claims 'Israel' joined US assault

The narrative presented by the Pentagon contrasts sharply with the official documentation emerging from Tehran.

Detailing the mechanics of the attack, Fars News Agency, relying on monitored broadcasts from Iranian State Television, reported that a joint formation of American and 'Israeli' fighter jets carried out yesterday's assault.

According to the Fars News Agency and State TV report, the allied warplanes targeted Iranian naval boats operating just south of Larak Island, a highly critical geographic outpost situated directly within the chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

While regional militaries continue to monitor the waters for potential secondary escalations, the definitive halt in active strikes has allowed local infrastructure teams to begin assessing the damage left in the wake of the confrontation.

• Trump mocks hypothetical Iranian surrender terms.
• Trump says media would still praise Iran.
• President attacks major US news outlets.
• Trump says Democrats, media “lost their way”.

US President Donald Trump launched a sharp rhetorical attack against mainstream media organizations and political opponents, claiming they would misrepresent even an absolute, unconditional military defeat of Iran by the United States.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump outlined an extreme, hypothetical scenario of complete Iranian capitulation to illustrate his disdain for current press coverage.

Hypothetical surrender scenario

In a characteristically vivid style, Trump detailed what a total military collapse of the Islamic Republic would look like under American pressure.

Trump asserted that even if these exact events unfolded, major US news networks and publications would completely invert the narrative.

He claimed that the press "will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America, it wasn’t even close."

NYT, WSJ, CNN 'Fake News'

The US President used the statement to renew his ongoing campaign against prominent journalistic institutions, applying highly critical nicknames to several major outlets.

He specifically singled out "The Failing New York Times," "The China Street Journal" (referring to The Wall Street Journal), and "Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN," grouping them together under the umbrella of the "Fake News Media."

Targeting 'Dumacrats'

Trump concluded his social media post by broadening his attack to encompass his domestic political rivals.

He stated that "The Dumacrats and Media have totally lost their way." He punctuated his remarks by declaring that his critics have "gone absolutely CRAZY!!!"

Axios reported on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump has conducted a phone call with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the matter, as regional tensions and diplomatic negotiations reach a critical juncture.

The call comes after Netanyahu held a security cabinet meeting; following his threats to intensify strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Some reports said the United States is preventing ‘Israel’ from striking Beirut to not hinder the ongoing Iran-US talks.

Iranian officials cited by news outlets said that Tehran considers Beirut a “red line” and that any ‘Israeli’ attack would re-trigger the regional war.

• SpaceX raises Starlink fees for Pentagon drone ops.
• Pentagon reliance grows ahead of SpaceX IPO.
• Pentagon, SpaceX clash over Iran cell service costs.
• US seeks alternatives amid rising prices.

A series of intense, previously unreported pricing disputes has erupted between the Pentagon and SpaceX over the use of the Starlink satellite network in the war against Iran.

Highlighting the immense leverage Elon Musk holds over critical US national security infrastructure.

The friction escalated rapidly after the United States launched its February 28 bombing campaign against Iran.

As US kamikaze drones guided by Starlink began securing visible battlefield gains.

SpaceX executives approached the Pentagon, arguing that the military was significantly underpaying for its satellite Wi-Fi connections.

Battle over 'LUCAS' drone subscription

According to Pentagon documents and sources familiar with the matter, the core of the dispute centered on the LUCAS suicide drone, a low-cost US model comparable to Iran’s Shahed drone that loiters over target areas before detonating on impact.

SpaceX executives argued that because the strike drones operate under high-intensity conditions, the military should be charged under its premium "aviation tier" subscription -worth $25,000 a month per terminal- rather than the standard $5,000 land or mobility rate the Pentagon had been paying under a 2023 "Starshield" defense agreement.

Defense officials pushed back sharply, arguing that the $25,000 monthly fee was explicitly designed for permanent aircraft, not disposable kamikaze drones that utilize a Starlink connection for mere minutes or hours.

Facing the pressures of a ramping military campaign, the Pentagon ultimately capitulated to SpaceX's demands. The decision nearly doubled the total cost of each LUCAS drone unit, which the Pentagon was initially acquiring for roughly $30,000.

Starlink Terminal Pricing Dispute per LUCAS Drone:

Initial Pentagon rate costs $5,000 per month.

While SpaceX mandated rate costs $25,000 per month.

Despite severe unease from senior leadership -including Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg- the Pentagon is currently weighing an additional purchase of more than 3,500 Starshield subscriptions, including 100 at the higher-priced aviation tier.

Half-billion dollar to bypass Iranian internet

The pricing standoff has extended into humanitarian and psychological operations.

Following a violent pre-war crackdown by Iranian authorities in January that left thousands dead, the Trump administration successfully smuggled more than 6,000 physical Starlink terminals into Iran to grant citizens independent web access.

However, once the war intensified, Iranian forces began confiscating the hardware and deploying widespread jamming networks across major cities.

To bypass the jammers, the Pentagon asked SpaceX to deploy a direct-to-cell capability that functions like a 5G network, allowing Iranian citizens to connect to the internet directly via their mobile phones without needing a physical terminal on the ground.

SpaceX -which generated $11.4 billion from Starlink in 2025 and is eyeing a massive historic IPO next month- proposed a massive fee structure for the wartime capability:

$500 million upfront to launch the direct-to-cell capability.

$100 million in recurring monthly fees to maintain operations.

Defense officials reportedly reacted with alarm to the price tag, and it remains unconfirmed whether an agreement has been finalized.

Government 'over a barrel'

The disputes underscore a troubling reality for US defense planners: SpaceX has a near-monopoly on modern battlefield satellite communications.

With a constellation of roughly 10,000 satellites, SpaceX commands over 60% of all operational hardware in orbit, dwarfing nascent networks by competitors like OneWeb and Amazon Leo.

"Unlike traditional defense contractors, SpaceX holds greater leverage over the Pentagon because it also has a large commercial market," noted Clayton Swope, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Pointing out that SpaceX only relies on the US government for roughly 20% of its total revenue. "SpaceX certainly has the US government over the barrel."

The reliance has raised historical alarms within the military, recalling instances where Musk personally ordered Starlink deactivated during a 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive, or when a global Starlink outage last summer left unmanned US Navy boats bobbing helplessly in the ocean.

While the Pentagon's Commercial Satellite Communications Office released a statement asserting it is "committed to fostering a competitive environment" and is looking for alternatives, officials privately concede that no other company on Earth can currently match Starlink's capabilities.

• Full cabinet expected despite weather concerns.
• Officials to review economy, fraud, voter issues.
• Iran tensions likely to dominate talks.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to make a rare journey to the Camp David presidential retreat in rural Maryland this Wednesday to lead a high-stakes cabinet meeting.

The strategic session comes at a pivotal moment as international peace negotiations with Iran enter a highly critical phase.

The high-level gathering will feature full attendance from the administration's executive leadership, including outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

However, White House officials noted that the logistics of the trip remain contingent on weather conditions.

While Trump customarily travels to the heavily secured Maryland retreat via helicopter, Washington, D.C., has been hit by a prolonged period of heavy rainfall in recent days, which could ultimately compel officials to change the meeting venue or cancel the flight entirely.

Reviewing domestic victories

According to a White House official, the primary agenda presented to the cabinet will showcase a series of key domestic and regulatory milestones achieved by the executive branch.

"Officials will discuss recent successes of the administration including economy and small business wins, Task Force to Eliminate Fraud highlights, and foreign policy updates." The White House official stated.

The administration is intentionally utilizing the high-profile session to sharpen its focus on economic affordability and household financial matters.

Highlighting these core legislative priorities is a key component of the administration's political strategy to directly address the primary concerns of the electorate ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections.

Iran tensions set to dominate

Despite the domestic economic focus, the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East is anticipated to thoroughly dominate the cabinet's conversations.

The strategic landscape darkened considerably following unannounced overnight military operations, during which the United States conducted targeted airstrikes against several military positions located in the south of Iran.

The kinetic engagement has triggered immediate geopolitical blowback.

In the direct aftermath of the American bombardment, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued an explicit warning, threatening US military bases stationed across the Middle East.

The direct military exchange and subsequent hostile rhetoric have effectively thrown the ongoing peace track into a state of extreme urgency, leaving administration officials to navigate a dual track of aggressive deterrence and delicate diplomacy as the cabinet meets at the presidential retreat.

• 'Israel' expands ground operation deeper into Lebanon.
• Offensive targets Hezbollah drone launch teams.

The 'Israeli' military has significantly escalated its ground operations in southern Lebanon, pushing armored and infantry units past a critical territorial boundary known as the "yellow line" in the strategic Nabatieh governate, according to 'Israel''s Channel 14.

Targeting drone operators 

The deeper push into Lebanese territory marks a sharp expansion of the conflict.

A military source speaking to the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz verified that the ground forces expanded their theater of operations north of the border specifically to target, dismantle, and push back operators launching highly disruptive "suicide" (loitering munition) drones into 'Israeli' positions.

The advancement bypasses the spatial constraints of the current, fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States.

While the truce parameters officially allow for an extended pause in total warfare, 'Israel' continues to leverage a clause permitting independent action to neutralize what it determines to be planned, active, or imminent cross-border attacks.

Yellow Line in Lebanon

The "yellow line" is a temporary, de facto military demarcation boundary unilaterally established by 'Israel' inside sovereign Lebanese territory.

Where it is located: The line runs horizontally across the landscape of southern Lebanon, encompassing an area approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep from the official international border. It cuts through multiple southern governorates and restricts access to over 50 frontier villages.

What it signifies: Borrowed conceptually from a similar military tactic deployed in Gaza, the yellow line marks the perimeter of an 'Israeli'-enforced security buffer zone and a strict "no-return zone" for displaced Lebanese civilians.

Prior to this week's escalation, 'Israeli' infantry, clearing operations, and armored positions had largely confined their heavy operational footprint within this 10-kilometer frontier strip.

By authorizing forces to push past the yellow line specifically toward the Nabatieh region, the 'Israeli' high command has officially ordered troops deep into Lebanon’s interior valleys, effectively extending the parameters of its military occupation.

• Iran restores full fixed-line internet access.
• FTTH, VDSL and ADSL users face no restrictions.
• Historic 88-day blackout officially ends.

The Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) has fully restored comprehensive access to the international internet, officially ending the longest and most severe nationwide digital isolation in modern history.

According to state telecommunications data, the government has lifted all active restrictions for fixed broadband infrastructure across the country.

Local users connected via Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), VDSL, and high-speed ADSL lines are now reporting unrestricted, seamless connectivity to global networks, international websites, and external data platforms.

From partial easing to full connectivity

The breakthrough comes directly on the heels of independent network tracking by the international web monitor NetBlocks, which first detected a "partial restoration" of outbound traffic earlier in the day.

Initial metrics had indicated a highly fragile and uncertain recovery after 88 consecutive days of total isolation.

Confirmed: Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in #Iran on day 88, after 2093 hours of near-total isolation from international networks, the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history. It is unclear if the restoration will be sustained. pic.twitter.com/Fi3z3UCMWp

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) May 26, 2026

While technological analysts initially treated the early traffic spikes with extreme caution -fearing a temporary fluctuation in the state's stringent censorship architecture- the latest mandates from Iran's central telecommunications authority have solidified the transition into a full-scale restoration for fixed-line consumers.

The move effectively reconnects millions of citizens to global communications after a grueling 2,093 hours of near-total digital confinement.

Recovery of digital economy

The systematic lifting of the web blockade brings immediate relief to a population of 90 million that had been forced to rely strictly on the state-controlled National Information Network (intranet).

The unprecedented 2026 blackout had completely choked off foreign messaging apps, severely disrupted family connections abroad, hindered independent news verification, and effectively crippled Iran's internal digital economy.

While mobile data networks continue to be monitored for similar stabilization, the unrestricted opening of FTTH, VDSL, and ADSL portals marks the most significant step toward normalizing Iran's relationship with the global digital infrastructure since the onset of the historic blockade.

An explosion close to the waterline damaged a tanker off Oman, a marine monitor said on Tuesday, as tensions remain high around the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

"The crew and vessel are safe, although the master reports some bunker fuel has discharged into the sea," UK Maritime Trade Operations said.

'Israel’s' military says it carried out attacks on more than 100 targets in Lebanon overnight including in the Bekaa Valley and various parts of southern Lebanon.

Strikes targeted weapons depots, observation posts, and command centres used by Hezbollah, it said.

It also acknowledged carrying out a series of strikes in the Mashghara area where Lebanon’s National News Agency reported at least 12 people killed.

The 'Israeli' military has issued an urgent evacuation warning for residents of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that they had downed a US drone and shot at other aircraft entering the country's airspace.

US military aircraft "entered Iranian airspace in the Persian Gulf region, and air defence units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... identified and shot down an MQ-9 drone," the Guards said in a statement on their Sepah News website.

The Guards forces "also fired upon an RQ-4 drone and an intruding F-35 fighter jet," the statement said, without specifying when the incidents took place.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Tuesday that the United States would no longer have “a safe haven” in the Gulf region, warning that regional powers would no longer serve as “a shield” for American military bases.

Khamenei made the remarks in a statement published on his Telegram channel amid ongoing discussions between Tehran and Washington over a framework aimed at ending their three-month-old war.

“Gulf powers will no longer be a shield for American military bases,” Khamenei said, according to the statement. “The United States will no longer have a safe haven in this region.”

Top US diplomat Marco Rubio insisted on Tuesday that the blockaded Strait of Hormuz would reopen "one way or the other", after fresh US strikes on Iran cast doubt on an accord to end the Mideast war.

"The straits have to be open. They're going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open," Rubio told reporters in the Indian city of Jaipur, where he was making an official visit.

"What's happening there is unlawful, it's illegal, it's unsustainable for the world, it's unacceptable," he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that a deal with Iran was still possible despite new American strikes that cast doubt on their fragile ceasefire.

"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress. I think it's a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it'll take a few days," Rubio told reporters in Jaipur during an official visit to India.

"The president's expressed his desire to make it. He's either going to make a good deal or no deal," he said.

An Iranian Health Ministry official said Monday that injuries sustained by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during US-‘Israeli’ strikes in late February were only “superficial,” offering rare details about the day he was wounded.

The 56-year-old supreme leader has not appeared publicly since assuming office following the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the US-‘Israeli’ attack on the Islamic Republic on Feb. 28, which triggered the Middle East war.

His statements have since been limited to written messages, fueling speculation about his health.

In March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mojtaba Khamenei was likely “injured” and “disfigured.”

Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour provided details about the day Mojtaba was wounded and taken to an unspecified hospital.

He said Mojtaba arrived at the hospital at around 1 PM Tehran time on Feb. 28 and “entered the operating room alongside several other wounded individuals.”

According to the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), Kermanpour said: “Aside from superficial injuries to the face, head, and legs that did not require amputation or cause any other medical complications, nothing serious happened.”

“From my perspective as a doctor, these injuries were not considered serious and required no special procedures apart from one or two stitches,” he added.

Kermanpour also said Mojtaba, who was fasting during Ramadan, “refused to break his fast and continued fasting until sunset, which reflects his good health.”

He added that the supreme leader left the hospital at around 2 AM. on March 1, but did not specify where he was taken afterward.

On May 7, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had met with the supreme leader and that their meeting lasted two and a half hours.

Three days later, Iranian state television reported that Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters commander Ali Abdollah Aliabadi met Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who gave “new directives and guidance to continue operations against the enemy.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directed the Ministry of Communications to restore international internet access, effectively aiming to terminate a near-total nationwide blackout that has lasted 87 days, according to state media reports.

The order, communicated via the Ministry and reported by Tasnim and Fars news agencies, seeks to return connectivity to pre-January levels.

It remains unclear whether full implementation has begun, as independent monitoring has not yet detected significant improvements in network traffic.

The blackout originated on January 8 this year, amid widespread anti-government protests triggered by economic difficulties.

It intensified in late February following military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, reducing connectivity to approximately 1-2% of normal capacity for most citizens.

NetBlocks, an independent internet observatory, has described the disruption as the longest and most severe nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.

Only select elites and officials maintained fuller access during this period, while the majority of Iran's population of over 90 million faced severe limitations on global communication.

The prolonged restrictions have inflicted substantial economic damage, with estimates exceeding $1.8 billion in losses by mid-April.

Businesses dependent on digital services experienced widespread disruptions, contributing to layoffs and operational challenges amid an already strained economy.

President Pezeshkian earlier tasked First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref with forming a committee to address the issue, emphasizing governance sensitivities and alignment with the Supreme Leader’s views.

However, skepticism persists regarding the order’s effectiveness, given the Supreme National Security Council’s historical role in imposing such measures and resistance from powerful institutions like the IRGC.

Communications Minister officials have indicated that restoration efforts may take several days to complete. No immediate rebound was observed as of the latest reports.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday it carried out “self-defense” strikes against Iranian targets south of the country.

CENTCOM said the strikes, which were conducted against boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, were “designed to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”

“US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” says Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson.

According to a senior US official cited by Fox News, two Iranian boats were spotted laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes do not indicate the ceasefire with Iran is over, two additional sources said to Fox News.

Iranian media confirmed that US and ‘Israeli’ jets attacked Iranian boats south of Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Fars News Agency citing Iranian state TV.

“Four people were killed in the attack, with the total number of casualties still unclear,” Fars News Agency said.

Iranian state TV says the situation in Bandar Abbas now is “calm and normal”.

The price of the main US benchmark for oil fell more than five percent on Tuesday, despite US forces launching new strikes on  missile sites in southern Iran.

Around 0030 GMT, the price of West Texas Intermediate was down 5.46 percent at $91.33 a barrel.

Iranian media said Monday that US and ‘Israeli’ jets attacked Iranian boats south of Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Fars News Agency citing Iranian state TV.

“Four people were killed in the attack, with the total number of casualties still unclear,” Fars News Agency said.

Iranian state TV says the situation in Bandar Abbas now is “calm and normal”.

The statements come after CENTCOM said it carried out “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran, according to Fox News.