Key facts
- The U.S. military denied Iranian claims of destroying three U.S. F-35 jets and three other aircraft.
- U.S. Central Command refuted Iranian media reports that the commercial vessel M/T Nora breached a U.S. blockade.
- The U.S. and Saudi Arabia conducted joint strikes against Iran-aligned terrorists in Iraq.
- These strikes followed over 30 drone attacks directed by the IRGC against U.S. forces.
- Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at American bases, which were intercepted.
- President Trump indicated optimism regarding ongoing cease-fire talks with Iran.
The U.S. military has denied claims made by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that three U.S. F-35 jets and three other aircraft were destroyed in recent attempted attacks. U.S. Central Command also refuted reports from Iranian state media that the commercial vessel M/T Nora had breached America's blockade of Iranian ports.
These denials come as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched joint strikes on Iran-aligned terrorists in Iraq. The strikes were a response to dozens of IRGC-directed drone attacks targeting U.S. forces in the region over the past three days. U.S. Central Command stated that Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at American bases in the Middle East, all of which were intercepted.
Earlier in 2026, from February through April, there were over 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq. CENTCOM warned that the IRGC and its proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response.
Amidst this escalation, President Trump has expressed renewed optimism about ongoing cease-fire talks with Iran, noting that mediators have reported significant progress. Trump previously halted new strikes on Iran the previous Friday but cautioned that war could reignite if negotiations falter. The U.S. is working with Qatar, Pakistan, and Egypt to oversee these talks, which also involve Oman.