Hormuz Far from Normal

JAKARTA, Investortrust — The conflict in the Middle East has reached a critical point after the United States launched a new strike against Iranian military facilities near Bandar Abbas, while Kuwait has activated its air defense system to counter missile and drone attacks. This latest escalation highlights that the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most strategic energy route, remains in a precarious situation and far from normal.

According to an Al Jazeera report, the US military carried out a strike against an Iranian military site suspected of posing a threat to American troops and maritime traffic in the Strait. Iranian state media reported the attack took place near Bandar Abbas, the country's main port and a vital entry point for the Strait, but caused no casualties or significant damage.

An Al Jazeera update on May 28, 2026 at 05.15 GMT reported that Iranian state media said three blasts were heard in eastern Bandar Abbas, triggering a brief activation of Iran's air defense system. This report aligns with information from Reuters and Associated Press (AP), which stated that the US military had shot down four Iranian drones and attacked a drone command center in Bandar Abbas after assessing they posed a threat to US troops and commercial vessels in the Strait.

Iran did not remain silent. The Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Iranian forces attacked a 'US airbase' in the Gulf area in retaliation for the strike on Bandar Abbas. IRGC warned that if 'US aggression' continued, the response would be 'even stronger and decisive.' Reuters also reported that IRGC confirmed the retaliatory strike as part of Iran's deterrence policy against Washington's military operations in the area around the Strait.

In the midst of the US-Iran exchange, Kuwait suddenly became a new hotspot. On May 28, 2026, the Kuwaiti military announced that the country's air defense system was facing 'hostile missile and drone attacks.' Air raid sirens were heard in several areas, although the government did not specify the origin of the attacks.

According to Reuters, the Kuwaiti air defense system successfully intercepted the threat, and there were no reports of significant damage. However, this incident shows that the conflict is spreading to Gulf states that have previously sought to maintain a safe distance from direct confrontation.

This situation echoes the regional tensions of the Gulf War era, when Kuwait was a frequent transit and target for missile threats due to the conflict in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz has become increasingly clear as a geopolitical battleground. On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, President Donald Trump declared, 'Nobody's going to control the Strait of Hormuz' – referring to negotiations between Tehran and Washington. This statement further denied speculation that the US was ready to accept Iran's control over the strategic waterway as part of a peace deal.

Washington has increased economic pressure. The US Department of the Treasury added the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a newly formed Iranian institution responsible for managing transit through the Strait, to its list of sanctioned entities. Washington views the body as a potential tool for the IRGC to collect fees and expand Iran's influence over international shipping.

This move came after Iranian state media claimed there were plans for a draft agreement that included reopening the Strait and lifting the blockade on Iranian ports. However, the White House denied the reports, calling them 'complete fabrication.'

As of May 28, 2026, the position of the Strait of Hormuz remains abnormal. Reuters and shipping industry reports indicate that tanker traffic has increased compared to the start of the war, but is still far below pre-conflict levels.

Despite the ongoing conflict, there are signs that diplomacy between the US and Iran is ongoing, however, the situation on the ground is moving in the opposite direction. The Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most critical energy artery and a major point of contention in the ongoing geopolitical struggle in the Middle East.