US Military Launches Fresh 'Self-Defense' Strikes on Iran as Peace Talks Continue
The U.S. military carried out new strikes targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines in southern Iran on Monday, even as negotiations between Washington and Tehran progressed in Qatar toward ending their three-month conflict.
Latest Strikes Amid Ongoing Ceasefire
The U.S. military carried out what it called "self-defense strikes" targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats around the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM spokesman Timothy Hawkins told CNN that U.S. forces conducted the strikes to protect troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, with targets including missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines, while continuing to defend forces with restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.
Parallel Diplomatic Progress
The strikes came amid intense diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India that an agreement could be finalized in "a couple of days," with negotiators down to "disagreements over a word, a sentence". Tehran's top negotiators were reportedly in Qatar to finalize terms for the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets held in the Gulf emirate.
Nuclear Program Remains Key Issue
The U.S. and Iran are working toward a "memorandum of understanding," but disputes over language concerning Iran's nuclear program and sanctions have held up a deal. According to a senior Trump administration official, the framework of a potential agreement would give the two sides 60 days to reach a full peace deal. Trump has linked an Iran deal with the Abraham Accords between Israel and some Arab neighbors, calling on nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan to join the agreement.
Warning from Revolutionary Guard
Tehran has been far more reserved in its assessment of the talks' progress, with the powerful Revolutionary Guard vowing Tuesday to "respond decisively to any violation of the ceasefire". U.S. and Iranian forces have previously exchanged fire during the ceasefire and it remains unclear how the attacks will affect the truce.