US strikes Iran sites in the south on Monday targeted missile launch positions and boats allegedly trying to lay mines, US Central Command said.
Tim Hawkins, a US Central Command spokesman, said the strikes were carried out in self-defence to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. The command gave no further operational details.
Iran’s state-run IRIB broadcaster reported loud explosions near Bandar Abbas around midnight local time, or 1:30 am PKT Tuesday. It said the situation in the southern port city was normal and local authorities were investigating.
The strikes came as senior Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha, Qatar, for talks on ending the months-long conflict. The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has been in place since April 8.
Oil markets moved after the strikes, with traders watching whether any deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian blockade has disrupted global fuel supplies, while the US Navy has sought to pressure Iranian ports.
President Donald Trump also said Iran should hand over its enriched uranium to the United States for destruction or destroy it at an acceptable location under supervision.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered a faster military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran has demanded that any peace deal also cover fighting in Lebanon.
Read: Iran Enriched Uranium Must Be Destroyed, Trump Says
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said talks had made progress on many issues. However, he said no one could claim that a final agreement was imminent.
