US Conducts Strike in Iran, Raising Concerns About Ceasefire Status

US Conducts Strikes Near Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

The US military has launched a series of strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, claiming they were carried out as “self-defence” measures to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. The strikes occurred in southern Iran, specifically in the city of Bandar Abbas, approximately 70km from the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, the targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. Iranian media reported explosions in the area, which is a global energy chokepoint under de facto Iranian blockade.

A US delegation led by top officials has been traveling to Qatar to hold negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran. The talks come despite a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire in place since April 8.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that a “large portion” of issues with the US have been resolved, but a deal is not imminent. He also clarified that the sides are not discussing Iran’s nuclear programme at this stage, with their focus being on ending the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said targets included boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites. Washington has accused the Iranian military of laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical passage for global oil and gas trade.

The US President Donald Trump stated that talks with Iran were going “nicely”, but warned of more attacks if they failed. The escalating tensions come days after Trump said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was “largely negotiated” with Iran, offering hopes of an imminent deal to end the conflict.

Iranian news agencies reported on Monday that Iran had downed a “hostile” stealth drone using a new air defence system, without specifying where it came from. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had targeted a vessel at sea before the latest US strikes, according to Iranian sources, resulting in several personnel fatalities.

The Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been on a four-day visit to China, during which he and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Source: Al Jazeera