U.S. Central Command confirmed Monday that American forces carried out what officials described as “defensive strikes” in southern Iran as negotiations continue over a possible long-term ceasefire agreement between Washington, Israel, and Tehran.
According to CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, the strikes targeted threats posed by Iranian military activity near the Strait of Hormuz, including boats allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines and missile launch sites viewed as immediate risks to U.S. personnel in the region.
The latest developments come just days after President Donald Trump warned there was a “solid 50/50” chance negotiations with Iran could either lead to peace or escalate into major military action. Trump previously cautioned that Iran could be “blasted to kingdom come” if diplomatic efforts failed, underscoring growing tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear and ceasefire discussions.
“These strikes were intended to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Hawkins said in a statement.
The developments come amid an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran that has remained largely intact since April 7 despite isolated incidents and rising regional tensions.
Earlier Monday, multiple reports described explosions in Bandar Abbas and nearby coastal areas in southern Iran near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20 percent of global oil transportation, making the region central to international energy markets and global economic stability.
A proposed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran has reportedly emerged during ongoing negotiations, though officials say a final agreement has not yet been reached.
If approved, the deal could reopen shipping routes fully through the Strait of Hormuz while ending hostilities connected to the conflict that escalated earlier this year.
The agreement would also reportedly require Iran to surrender or destroy its stockpile of enriched uranium under international supervision, according to reports from the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump on Monday said negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely” and described the potential arrangement as “a Great Deal for all.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran’s enriched uranium would either be transferred to the United States for destruction or dismantled under international oversight.
“The Enriched Uranium will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or destroyed in place,” Trump wrote.
The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that Iran cannot be allowed to develop or possess nuclear weapons, while Iranian officials continue insisting their nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
Meanwhile, global energy markets remain under pressure as uncertainty surrounding the conflict continues to impact fuel prices worldwide.
According to AAA, the national average price for gasoline in the United States reached $4.50 per gallon on Monday following months of instability tied to tensions in the Middle East.
Analysts warn that any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger further increases in oil and gasoline prices globally as negotiations continue between both sides.
