The United States has carried out new military strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile positions and boats allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
According to US Central Command (Centcom), the strikes were launched in “self-defence” to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces amid the fragile ceasefire currently in place between Washington and Tehran.
Centcom spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed on Monday that US forces targeted an area near Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian port city that hosts a key naval base along the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
“US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Hawkins said, adding that American forces were continuing to operate with restraint despite ongoing tensions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded on Tuesday by claiming it had shot down a US drone and opened fire on another drone and a fighter jet that allegedly entered Iranian airspace. Iranian state media did not specify when the confrontation occurred.
The IRGC also warned that Iran reserves the “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate against any violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The latest military action has raised new concerns about the future of peace negotiations between the US and Iran, which have continued despite months of military confrontation across the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomatic talks remain active and pointed to scheduled discussions involving Iran’s chief negotiator, the Iranian foreign minister, and Qatar’s prime minister.
“We’ll see if we can make progress,” Rubio told reporters during an official visit to India. “There’s a lot of talking back and forth regarding specific language in the initial document.”
Rubio also emphasized that President Donald Trump remains interested in securing an agreement with Tehran.
“He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio said.
When questioned about the latest strikes, Rubio defended the US position, stressing the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to global shipping traffic.
“The straits have to be open. They’re going to be open one way or the other,” he stated. “What’s happening there is unlawful, illegal, unsustainable for the world, and unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a strong warning in a message marking the annual Hajj pilgrimage, saying the Middle East would “no longer serve as shields for US bases.”
Khamenei added that America was losing its influence in the region and no longer enjoyed the same level of security it once had across the Middle East.
The current negotiations reportedly involve proposals for a 60-day ceasefire extension, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and additional talks focused on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iranian officials, however, cautioned that no final agreement has been reached despite progress in discussions.
US intelligence sources quoted by CBS reported that Khamenei is believed to be hiding in an undisclosed location after reportedly being injured during an Israeli strike earlier this year that killed his father and predecessor.
The conflict began after the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking months of military escalation across the region.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) previously estimated that Iran possessed roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity at the start of the war, bringing the country closer to weapons-grade nuclear capability.
President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile would either be handed over to the US immediately or destroyed under international supervision in coordination with Tehran.
Despite an official ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, tensions between the US and Iran remain high as both nations continue military operations around the Persian Gulf.