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US launches strikes on Iranian targets in southern region
The United States carried out new military strikes in southern Iran on Tuesday, targeting missile installations and vessels attempting to deploy naval mines, according to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation was framed as a defensive measure to counter threats posed by Iranian forces to American troops.
CENTCOM justifies strikes amid ongoing ceasefire
CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins stated that the US military remains committed to protecting its forces while exercising restraint during the current ceasefire between the two nations. Iran has not yet issued an official response to the latest strikes.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai acknowledged progress in negotiations to end the conflict but emphasized that a final agreement was not imminent. The impact of the strikes on potential peace talks remains uncertain.
Diplomatic efforts persist despite military action
Following the strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that a diplomatic resolution was still possible. He referenced recent discussions in Qatar between Iran's chief negotiator, its foreign minister, and Qatar's prime minister.
"We'll see if we can make progress. There's a lot of back-and-forth about specific language in the initial document, so it may take a few days," Rubio told reporters during a visit to India.
Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump's stance that the US would either secure a "good deal" or no deal at all. When pressed about the strikes, Rubio stressed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "The straits have to be open. What's happening there is unlawful, illegal, and unsustainable for the world."
Strikes target key Iranian naval base
According to CENTCOM, the US strikes focused on an area near Bandar Abbas, a southern port city housing a major Iranian naval base along the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media had earlier reported explosions in the region, prompting local officials to launch an investigation.
Tensions in the strait escalated earlier this month after a confrontation between Iranian and US naval destroyers, with both sides accusing the other of provoking the clash. Despite the incident, Trump affirmed that the ceasefire remained in effect.
Negotiations face delays amid leadership challenges
The proposed memorandum of understanding under discussion reportedly includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further talks on Iran's nuclear program. However, CBS News reported that US intelligence believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei-injured in an Israeli strike at the war's outset-is in an undisclosed location, complicating communications and slowing negotiations.
Key unresolved issues include the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and demands for Iran to curb its nuclear activities. At the war's start, Iran possessed approximately 440 kg (970 lbs) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade material. Trump recently stated that this stockpile must either be handed over to the US or "destroyed in place" with Iranian cooperation.
Ceasefire holds despite regional tensions
The US and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8, though Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports. The conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf allies, as well as the effective closure of the strait-triggering a global surge in oil prices.
