World news highlights for May 28th

A summary of world news on May 28th, updating notable international events including the US-Iran conflict, Oman, Israel-Lebanon, the CIA scandal in the US, and the global gas crisis.

VTC News•28/05/2026

In today's latest world news on May 28th, notable developments focus on the US attack on Iranian military facilities, President Donald Trump's warning to Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Israel's intensified airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the US arrest of a former CIA official with hundreds of gold bars, and record-breaking summer heat in Asia putting pressure on global gas markets.

US attacks Iranian military facility.

On May 27, US forces carried out "defensive" airstrikes against an Iranian military facility after shooting down several attacking drones.

According to AP, unnamed U.S. officials said the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shot down four Iranian suicide drones deemed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, U.S. forces also attacked an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas, where a fifth drone was being prepared for launch.

The airstrikes came after President Donald Trump declared Iran was “negotiating until it runs out of steam,” and asserted that the midterm elections did not make him rush to reach an agreement to end the nearly three-month-long conflict.

Trump said the US administration and Tehran were “largely finished negotiating” on a solution, although many issues remained unresolved. Under a potential agreement, Iran could agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently possesses approximately 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just a short technical step away from the level required for nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Tehran denies the allegations.

Trump warns Oman, declares the Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen.

On May 27, President Donald Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz must be open to all nations, while warning Oman to "act appropriately" in its control of this strategic waterway.

When asked whether he would accept a short-term agreement allowing Iran and Oman to control the waterway, Trump replied: “No, the strait will be open to everyone. This is international waters.”

Oman is currently a key ally of the United States and plays a mediating role in the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has stated its intention to establish a fee-based system for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and share the revenue with Oman.

Iranian media also revealed a draft of a potential “memorandum of cooperation” with the US, in which Washington committed to lifting the naval blockade against Iran and restoring maritime shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels within a month.

Israel intensifies airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

Israel launched a series of intense airstrikes in southern Lebanon on May 27 after declaring the entire area a "war zone".

According to RT, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had previously issued evacuation orders for several areas in Tyre and warned that the entire area south of the Zahrani River was considered a "combat zone".

Lebanese residents evacuate the Tyre region following a warning from Israel. (Photo: Getty Images)

The IDF said it attacked military facilities, command centers, and launch sites believed to belong to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said about 550 Hezbollah-linked targets have been attacked since the beginning of the week.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced it would continue retaliatory operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health , at least 3,213 people have been killed and 9,737 injured since Israel launched its military operation against Hezbollah in late February.

US arrests former CIA official, seizes 300 gold bars.

US media reported that a former high-ranking official of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was arrested on charges of theft of public property after authorities discovered hundreds of gold bars at his home.

According to NBC News, David Rush has been criminally charged in the Eastern District of Virginia court. The FBI and CIA confirmed they coordinated the arrest of the suspect after receiving a tip. During a search on May 18, federal agents seized approximately 300 gold bars worth more than $40 million, along with $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches.

According to FBI records, between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush repeatedly requested funding, including foreign currency and gold bars, worth tens of millions of dollars, and was subsequently accused of taking a portion of the assets home for personal gain.

The incident raised concerns about the effectiveness of background checks for intelligence personnel and U.S. federal officials.

Asia's record-breaking summer heat is putting pressure on global gas markets.

The global gas market is under significant pressure due to record-breaking summer heat in Asia and increased energy demand from China amid the near-total paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz for almost three months.

According to the Straits Times, many Asian countries are forecast to experience a hotter-than-average summer. Japan could see temperatures up to 1.5 degrees Celsius higher, while many areas in China and South Korea are expected to be 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius warmer.

Experts warn that the El Niño phenomenon could lead to a sharp increase in electricity and gas demand, potentially causing a global LNG supply shortage.

Gazprom workers at a "Power of Siberia" gas pipeline infrastructure site connecting Russia to China. Russia plans to double its gas exports to China by 2035. (Photo: Ria Novosti)

According to Bloomberg, approximately 20% of the world's LNG supply has been affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that many US LNG shipments are being diverted to Asia because buyers in the region are willing to pay higher prices.

Experts predict that if traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted and China significantly increases LNG imports this summer, global gas prices could continue to climb in the coming months.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tin-the-gioi-noi-bat-trong-ngay-28-5-ar1020424.html