The United States stated on Sunday (local time) that it bombed Iranian radar and drone bases in retaliation for Iran shooting down a U.S. drone over the weekend.

Iran, in response, announced it carried out its own strike, and Kuwait reported that shelling had occurred.

U.S. Central Command stated in a post on X that the strike on the Iranian Gulf coast over the weekend was "in response to Iran's aggressive actions, including the downing of a U.S. MQ-1 drone operating in international waters."

The Central Command added, "U.S. fighter jets responded swiftly, eliminating two one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat to Iran's air defense systems, ground control stations, and ships transiting the regional waters," emphasizing that U.S. assets and interests will continue to be protected during the ongoing ceasefire.

The Central Command stated that airstrikes were carried out on Saturday and Sunday in the vicinity of Gerouk city in Iran and on Qeshm Island.

The nominal ceasefire between Iran and the United States has been tested multiple times amidst attempts by officials from both countries to negotiate an end to the war. It remains unclear how close a deal is, and there is always a risk that negotiations could collapse if attacks occur.

Meanwhile, Iran maintains its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies and causing fuel prices to skyrocket, leading to widespread impacts.

Despite the nominal ceasefire, fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has intensified. Israel has expanded its occupation deep into Lebanon, and Hezbollah, which joined the war to support its main sponsor Iran, continues to launch drone attacks toward Israel.

Kuwait announced early Monday that it activated its air defense systems to intercept drone and missile attacks.

Around the same time, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a paramilitary organization, stated it had responded to U.S. strikes, though it did not specify the targets. This likely refers to the attack in Kuwait. In a statement released through the state-run IRNA news agency, the IRGC said that U.S. forces attacked a communications tower.

Kuwait is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Central Command. While the U.S. Air Force no longer operates MQ-1 Predator drones, the U.S. Army still does.

Vice President JD Vance suggested last week that negotiators were trying to find a general agreement on Iran's nuclear program, with specific details to be determined in future talks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reiterated accusations on Monday that the United States was "constantly" shifting its position.

President Trump expressed an optimistic outlook on the talks in a post on Truth Social from Washington early Monday.

He wrote, "Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good deal for the U.S. and for the countries that are with us. If you sit back and wait, everything will eventually work out. As it always does!"

U.S. NNP=Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Dispatch by this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com