US strikes Iranian missile sites and boats near Strait of Hormuz amid peace talks

The U.S. military launched targeted airstrikes on southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, hitting missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to deploy maritime mines. The operation, confirmed by U.S. Central Command, was described as self-defense to protect U.S. troops from Iranian threats and took place near Bandar Abbas, a key port city overlooking the strategic waterway responsible for 25% of global maritime oil trade. U.S. officials emphasized the strikes were precise and reactive, not escalatory, following earlier tensions in May when Iranian forces targeted U.S. warships with missiles, drones, and small boats. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins stated the strikes aimed to neutralize threats while maintaining restraint during the ongoing ceasefire, which began on April 8. Iranian authorities reported three explosions in Bandar Abbas, with air defense systems activated to counter hostile targets. State media confirmed local officials were investigating the aftermath, while witnesses along the coast near Sirik and Jask also reported acoustic disturbances. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Persian Gulf. Domestically, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the restoration of internet access, which had been nearly fully restricted since late December 2025 to suppress protests over economic inflation and currency depreciation. Despite the military engagement, semi-official media stated the situation in Bandar Abbas remained under control. Diplomatic talks in Qatar involving Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati were ongoing to review a potential memorandum of understanding with the U.S. The proposed framework includes a 60-day ceasefire extension and mechanisms to address core disputes, though the strikes have introduced new volatility into the negotiations.