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US conducts 'self-defense' strikes in Iran

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, in this handout image released on May 31, 2026.
1:47
Israeli Military/via Reuters
US conducts 'self-defense' strikes in Iran over the weekend
By David Brennan, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: May 31, 2026, 8:30 AM

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."

Key Headlines

  • Death toll in Lebanon now 3,412 from Israeli attacks, health ministry says
  • Any deal with US must secure 'rights of the Iranian people,' Ghalibaf says
  • IDF advances north of Litani River, approaches city of Nabatieh
  • 'Suspected' mine reported in Strait of Hormuz, Omani authorities say
  • Hegseth calls talks with Iran 'productive'
Here's how the news is developing.

May 31, 2026 8:30 AM

IDF advances north of Litani River, approaches city of Nabatieh

The Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday that its troops operating in southern Lebanon had advanced north of the Litani River and secured the Beaufort Ridge -- a strategic position south of the Lebanese city of Nabatieh.

"The IDF crossed the Litani River and expanded the strikes on Hezbollah north of the river. The activity is expanding to additional areas at this moment," the IDF said in a post to X.

"The IDF is operating near Nabatieh, which constitutes a significant power center of the Hezbollah terror organization in southern Lebanon, and is prepared and ready to expand the attack as required," the force added.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, in this handout image released on May 31, 2026.
Israeli Military/via Reuters
Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, in this handout image released on May 31, 2026.
Israeli Military/via Reuters

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the advance was made "at the direction" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The campaign is not yet over. The IDF is strong, and we are all determined to crush Hezbollah's power and complete the mission: ensuring security for the residents of the North," Katz wrote on X.

Also on Sunday, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation order for all residents of southern Lebanon, particularly those south of the Zahleh River.

The Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon -- and airstrike campaign in the south and east of the country, plus in the capital Beirut -- is ongoing despite a ceasefire agreed between Israeli and Lebanese leaders in April.

Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said that as of Saturday, 3,371 people had been killed and 10,129 people wounded by Israeli strikes since March 2.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday accused Israel of adopting a "scorched-earth policy" in its campaign against Hezbollah. Salam said the IDF was engaged in "collective punishment" of southern Lebanese communities by "destroying towns and villages, and forcing their inhabitants into exile."

Hezbollah, meanwhile, continues its attacks on Israeli soldiers deployed in the south of Lebanon and its long-range strikes on northern Israel.


May 30, 2026 11:06 PM

Troops suffered minor injuries after Iran attack earlier this week, official says

Several U.S. troops and civilian contractors suffered minor injuries and have since been returned to duty following an Iranian missile attack intercepted over Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Wednesday, a U.S. official told ABC News.


The injuries came from falling debris from the interception. It’s unclear how many troops were wounded, according to the official.


As of Friday, 409 troops have been wounded in the war with Iran accord to Pentagon data, much of that being traumatic brain injuries.

-ABC News' Steve Beynon


May 31, 2026 8:25 AM

'Suspected' mine reported in Strait of Hormuz, Omani authorities say

Authorities in Oman issued an alert Saturday, warning vessels to exercise caution after an "object suspected to be a floating mine" was spotted in the Strait of Hormuz.

The object was reported in the Inshore Traffic Zone within Omani territorial waters, Oman's Maritime Security Center said in a post on X.

It is unclear if the suspected object had been recovered.

"All maritime users are advised to keep a safe distance from any suspicious objects and report them immediately to the relevant authorities," the post said.

A post from Oman's Ministry of Defense said "to exercise the utmost caution and vigilance while navigating, following the detection of a floating object suspected to be a sea mine west of the coastal traffic area."

-ABC News' Othon Leyva



May 30, 2026 12:49 PM

Hamas calls on Peace Council to condemn Netanyahu's comments on Gaza

Hamas called on several countries represented in the Peace Council to speak out against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment that Israel now controls 60% of the Gaza Strip.

"We strongly condemn the complete silence of the so-called Peace Council and its Executive Director, Mladenov, regarding the dangerous statements issued by the occupation government concerning its intention to take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip and continue pursuing plans of displacement," Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

"Ignoring these aggressive statements and failing to condemn the occupation's expansionist policies and forced displacement plans raises serious questions about the extent of the sponsoring parties' commitment to holding the occupation accountable to its obligations and putting an end to its ongoing violations and breaches," Qassem added.


May 26, 2026 9:34 PM

US official on what led to Monday's strikes in Iran

Monday's strikes in Iran were prompted by the U.S. detecting a pattern of increasing and potentially threatening Iranian activity over a 24-hour period, according to a U.S. official.

U.S. Central Command had said Monday that U.S. forces "conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces."

"Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines," it said.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez


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