The United States said it conducted what it described as defensive strikes in southern Iran on Monday (25 May), targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz.
“US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesman Timothy Hawkins told CNN in a statement, after being asked about reports of explosions around the Strait of Hormuz.
“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” he added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (26 May) that reaching a deal with Iran could “take a few days”. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump suggested that the two sides were close to an agreement, although he later said he had instructed negotiators “not to rush into” a deal. Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Monday (25 May), Rubio had said: “We thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today.”
Both sides had indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and allow shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, where vessels have been threatened by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The memorandum would give negotiators a further 60 days to resolve more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, in comments posted on his Telegram channel to mark the annual hajj pilgrimage, Iran’s Supreme Leader said: “The clock cannot be turned back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer be a shield for American bases.”
“From now on, the slogans ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ will be the slogans of the Islamic nation and the oppressed people of the world, especially the youth,” he added.
Source: commonspace.eu with Reuters, CNN, and BBC
