The US conducted “self-defense” airstrikes against Iran amid the already shaky ceasefire between the two countries. These strikes were reportedly targeted at missile launch sites and Iranian mine-laying boats near Bandar Abbas – home to a key Iranian naval base on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime shipping channels, through which nearly 20 percent of the global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes, before Tehran blocked it amid the US-Iran war.

Meanwhile, a senior US official who spoke with Fox News Chief National Correspondent Jennifer Griffin claimed that two Iranian boats were seen placing mines in the Strait.

 

Griffin took to X, formerly Twitter, and shared an update with netizens, writing, “The US military eliminated IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] vessels and also struck at a SAM (surface to air missile) site in Bandar Abbas that was targeting US warplanes.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson, Tim Hawkins, confirmed Monday evening that US forces carried out ‘self-defense strikes’ targeted at southern Iran “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.” He added that the attacks were targeted at missile launch sites and Iranian boats that were trying to position mines.

Iran’s state media also reported about explosions in Bandar Abbas city and coastal areas near the Strait after the US airstrikes.

 

Earlier this month, Iran’s senior military officials accused the US of breaching the ceasefire after two Iranian oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz were reportedly targeted. They also claimed that airstrikes hit civilian areas along Iran’s southern coastline with the support of “some regional countries,” the Iran International reported.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM said that US forces blocked Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats that were allegedly targeting Navy destroyers passing through the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, the outlet reported. After the interceptions, US forces launched retaliatory strikes on Iranian military sites.

According to CENTCOM, no American assets were hit during the incident. The command said the strikes focused on Iranian missile and drone launch locations, command hubs, and intelligence facilities connected to the attacks. It also stated that while it “does not seek escalation,” it is ready to protect its personnel and assets in the region.

 

Previously, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper testified that the April 7 ceasefire “remains in effect” despite ongoing exchanges of fire, according to CBS News.

Cooper told senators that Operation Epic Fury destroyed over 85 percent of Iran’s ballistic missile, drone, and naval capabilities by launching over 1,450 strikes on Iran’s weapons manufacturing facilities.

On Monday, May 25, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social and wrote that the negotiations with Iran regarding ending the war were “proceeding nicely.”

 

Trump added that he spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. He said, “after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously sign onto the Abraham Accords.”

The Abraham Accords were U.S.-mediated agreements introduced during Trump’s first term to establish normal diplomatic ties with Israel. The UAE and Bahrain became the first countries to sign the deal.