US Conducts New Strikes in Iran as Hormuz Deal Faces Delays
The United States carried out additional military strikes in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch locations and vessels reportedly involved in placing naval mines, according to reports citing U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The operations occurred amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at extending a ceasefire and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Shortly after the strikes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an agreement with Iran could still require several days to finalize, while insisting that the Strait of Hormuz would eventually reopen.
US Says Military Actions Were Defensive
According to CENTCOM officials, Monday’s operations were defensive in nature and did not signal the end of the existing ceasefire arrangement with Iran.
CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins stated that U.S. forces acted in self-defense against perceived threats in southern Iran.
Officials said targets included missile launch sites and Iranian vessels allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines.
The U.S. military emphasized that restraint remains a priority despite continued tensions during the ceasefire period.
Iran Warns of Potential Retaliation
Iranian officials responded with warnings that attacks against the country’s armed forces could provoke retaliation.
Ebrahim Azizi, who leads Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, reportedly cautioned against further military actions.
At the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether Iran had launched any direct response following Monday’s strikes.
Ceasefire and Hormuz Negotiations Remain Fragile
The latest military developments add pressure to already sensitive relations between the United States and Iran and could complicate efforts to maintain the current ceasefire.
Over the weekend, several reports suggested both countries were approaching a framework agreement that would extend the ceasefire and allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The route remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Whether the latest strikes have damaged diplomatic progress remains uncertain.
Trump Repeats Demands Over Iran’s Enriched Uranium
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must either be transferred to the United States or destroyed under agreed conditions.
Trump stated that enriched uranium could be removed and destroyed in the U.S., eliminated locally, or handled through another mutually accepted arrangement.
The comments followed earlier remarks in which Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing positively.
Uranium Dispute Remains a Key Obstacle
Control over Iran’s uranium program continues to be one of the central issues in negotiations between the two countries.
Reports over the weekend suggested Iran remained reluctant to fully accept U.S. demands to surrender uranium reserves.
At the same time, discussions reportedly continued around a broader agreement involving:
- Extension of the ceasefire
- Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
- Commitments related to nuclear weapons development
- Future negotiations on uranium enrichment activities
Trump has repeatedly argued that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains one of the primary goals behind recent U.S. and Israeli actions in the region.
The president has also warned that additional military measures could follow if Tehran rejects a broader peace agreement.
Markets Continue Monitoring Middle East Developments
Financial markets remain highly sensitive to developments involving U.S.-Iran negotiations, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and global energy security.
Any changes in diplomatic progress or military activity could continue influencing oil prices, inflation expectations, and broader investor sentiment.
