Link to Washington says its latest strikes in southern Iran were carried out in self-defence, targeting missile positions and boats allegedly preparing to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The action comes as diplomatic efforts continue, though Tehran says a deal is not yet imminentWashington says its latest strikes in southern Iran were carried out in self-defence, targeting missile positions and boats allegedly preparing to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The action comes as diplomatic efforts continue, though Tehran says a deal is not yet imminent
The United States has launched new strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile sites and vessels that Washington says were preparing to place mines in a strategically vital maritime area.
US Central Command said the operation was carried out in “self-defence” and was intended to protect American forces from threats posed by Iranian military activity. A spokesperson, Captain Tim Hawkins, said US forces were continuing to defend themselves while showing restraint during the current ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Iran has not yet issued a formal response to the latest US action. Earlier, however, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said negotiations aimed at ending the conflict had made progress, while cautioning that an agreement was “not imminent”.
The impact of the strikes on the diplomatic track remains uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal was still possible, pointing to talks involving Iran’s chief negotiator, Tehran’s foreign minister and Qatar’s prime minister. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said discussions were continuing over the wording of an initial document, but added that more time would be needed.
President Donald Trump, Rubio said, wanted an agreement but would accept only what he considered a strong deal. “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” the secretary of state said.
Rubio also defended the need to keep shipping routes open, saying the straits “have to be open” and describing threats to maritime traffic as unlawful and unacceptable.
According to US officials, the strikes were focused near Bandar Abbas, a major port city in southern Iran and the site of an Iranian naval base overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media had previously reported that local authorities were investigating explosions heard in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis. Earlier this month, US and Iranian naval forces clashed in the waterway, with both sides blaming each other. Trump later insisted the ceasefire remained in force, despite the confrontation.
Diplomatic signals have been mixed. Over the weekend, Trump suggested the two sides were close to an agreement, before later saying he had told negotiators not to rush. Rubio had also indicated that a deal could potentially be reached soon. Tehran, however, has pushed back against that assessment, saying that while a large part of the negotiations had been resolved, no one could claim that a signing was close.
The draft memorandum reportedly under discussion includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.
US media have reported that American intelligence believes Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in hiding at an undisclosed location after being injured in an Israeli strike at the start of the war. That attack reportedly killed his father and predecessor, complicating communications between Iran’s leadership and its negotiating team.
Even if an interim understanding is reached, it is not expected to settle the broader dispute. More difficult issues, including sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets and US demands for limits on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, would likely be addressed in later rounds.
At the start of the conflict, Iran was believed to have around 440kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level close enough to weapons-grade material to deepen international concern. Trump has said the stockpile should either be handed over to the United States or destroyed in coordination with Tehran.
The US and Iran have formally observed a ceasefire since 8 April, but tensions have continued around Gulf shipping. Iran has maintained restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy has sought to blockade Iranian ports.
The wider conflict began after the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied Gulf states, while effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz — a move that sent global oil prices sharply higher.
(Associated Medias) – all rights reserved
L'articolo US Strikes Iranian Missile Sites as Fragile Ceasefire Comes Under Strain proviene da Associated Medias.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved