US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Iran attacks US base in retaliation for strikes near Bandar Abbas airport

Iranians began to regain internet access on Wednesday after authorities ended a month-long shutdown. But users said service was slow and spotty in some areas, with apps like YouTube and Instagram heavily restricted, as they were before the cutoff began during nationwide protests in January. Authorities justified the outage as a military imperative after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28. Their decision to lift some restrictions this week came as negotiators appeared to be closing in on a more permanent truce. But many Iranians feared access could be cut off again at a moment's notice.

The United States on Wednesday (local time) imposed sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), accusing Tehran of using the body to "extort" commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz and "funnelling" revenue to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The move, announced by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), adds the PGSA to the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list as part of the US President Trump's administration's intensified "Economic Fury" campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Iran amid ongoing regional tensions.

The International Stabilisation Force for Gaza was announced with great aplomb at the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in February. The American general tapped to lead the 20,000-strong force said it would ensure "future prosperity and enduring peace" after the devastating Israel-Hamas war. Three months on, he still has no force to lead as none of the five countries that pledged troops have come through with any significant contributions.

CBS News reported that the US military shot down four Iranian drones and hit a ground control station in Bandar Abbas preparing to launch a fifth. A US official described the actions as defensive and aimed at preserving the fragile ceasefire.

An "informed military source" told Tasnim that IRGC naval forces fired at a US tanker that attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with its radar switched off, AP reported. US forces were then said to have fired toward a scorched area near Bandar Abbas, causing no injuries or damage.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to securing a favourable ceasefire deal, saying he is not concerned about midterm election pressure. He also insisted that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to all as part of ongoing negotiations.

Despite drone interceptions and retaliatory actions, US officials told CBS News the ceasefire with Iran remains in place. They stressed the strikes were calibrated to prevent escalation rather than trigger further conflict.

An "informed military source" told Tasnim that IRGC naval forces fired at a US tanker that attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with its radar switched off. US forces were then said to have fired toward a scorched area near Bandar Abbas, causing no injuries or damage.

Local media reported that Iranian naval forces warned four vessels trying to enter the Gulf without prior coordination. After the ships allegedly ignored initial alerts, Iranian forces fired warning shots which prompted them to retreat.

Iranian and US forces traded fire near the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran claimed its naval units confronted vessels attempting to cross the waterway without coordination, as per Iran's media. Tasnim reported that explosions heard in the area were linked to this exchange, with no casualties or damage.