US military says it has launched new strikes on southern Iran
The US military announced that it has launched new attacks on southern Iran, targeting Iranian missile sites and boats trying to plant mines.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in “self-defense” and were designed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”
Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said the U.S. military “continues to exercise restraint and defend our forces during the ongoing ceasefire.”
The attacks came after Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said some progress had been made in talks with the United States, but a deal to end the conflict was “not imminent.”
According to the New York Times, Hawkins said the strikes targeted an area near Bandar Abbas, a southern port city and home to an Iranian naval base in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media had previously reported that local authorities in Bandar Abbas launched an investigation after hearing of the explosions.
Iran has not yet responded to the latest US attacks. It is unclear what impact these will have on a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said the sides were close to a deal, but later said he had instructed negotiators to “take their time” in reaching a deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said an agreement could be reached on Monday.
However, Baqai replied: “It is fair to say that we have reached a conclusion on the majority of the issues discussed… But to say that this means that the signing of an agreement is imminent – no one can make such a claim.”
The memorandum of understanding under discussion includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a plan for further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reported that US intelligence believes Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in the Israeli attack that killed his father and predecessor on the first day of the war, is hiding in an undisclosed location, making communication with his envoys difficult and therefore delaying the pace of talks with the US.
According to US media, the discussions will not immediately lead to a final solution. Contentious issues, including the relief of Iran sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian funds and U.S. demands that Iran rein in its nuclear ambitions, will likely be discussed later.
At the start of the war, Iran is thought to have approximately 440 kg (970 lbs) of uranium enriched to 60% purity; This leaves Iran a short time away from being enriched to 90% weapons grade, which could theoretically allow Iran to build a nuclear bomb.
On Monday night, Trump said the enriched uranium would either be “immediately” delivered to the United States or “destroyed on site, preferably in conjunction with and in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Iran’s chief negotiator and foreign minister were in Doha to meet Qatar’s prime minister about a potential deal with the United States, although senior officials downplayed any breakthrough, Reuters reported.
US and Iranian forces have been maintaining a ceasefire since April 8. Iran maintains controls on shipping to the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, and the US Navy is trying to blockade Iranian ports.
The US and Israel’s comprehensive attacks on Iran on February 28 sparked conflicts in the Middle East. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. This move caused oil prices to rise worldwide.
