US Military Announces New Strike in Southern Iran

The US military has announced a new strike in southern Iran targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to lay underwater mines, according to US military officials. The US Central Command stated in a release that the attack was conducted “in self-defense” and to “prevent threats arising from Iranian forces.” Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Central Command, said, “During the ceasefire period, the US military has exercised restraint while ensuring the safety of its personnel.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei indicated that although there has been some progress in negotiations with the US, an immediate agreement to end hostilities “is not currently feasible,” which led to these attacks. According to The New York Times, Captain Hawkins confirmed that the strike targeted Bandar Abbas, a southern port city hosting the Iranian militia base located near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that after hearing explosions, local officials in Bandar Abbas have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Iran has yet to issue any response to the US strikes. It remains unclear how this latest attack will affect potential peace agreements between the US and Iran. President Donald Trump previously stated that both sides were near reaching a consensus but also instructed negotiators to “not rush” the process. At the time of the strike, ongoing discussions in Doha were taking place, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing optimism on Monday that an agreement may soon be reached.

However, Esmail Baghaei remarked, “While we can say significant progress has been made on many issues, there is no certainty that an agreement will be signed imminently.” Despite downplaying the achievements of senior officials, Iran’s top negotiators and foreign minister traveled to Doha to discuss potential agreements with Qatar’s prime minister, Reuters reported. The US and Iranian forces have been observing a ceasefire since April 8. Iran maintains control over vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy is attempting to blockade Iranian ports.