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The United States military Tuesday (local time) said it has carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats laying mines, even as President Donald Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely”.
Spokesman for US Central Command Capt. Tim Hawkins said the strikes were aimed at protecting American forces from threats posed by Iranian units.
“The strikes were conducted to defend our troops,” Hawkins said, adding that the military was “using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire”.
The strikes took place near Bandar Abbas, close to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. Iranian media reported explosions in the area, but officials later said the situation was under control.
Footage allegedly shared by a U.S. soldier appears to show HIMARS missile launches targeting Iran from an undisclosed Gulf nation during the recent U.S.-Iran conflict. pic.twitter.com/Oh4sEDjMOD
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 25, 2026
There was no indication that the action had changed the current ceasefire, which has been in place since April.
Details about the specific threats or the extent of the damage were not immediately available. The developments come as talks continue between Washington and Tehran to end the conflict that began in late February following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Daily transits now | ~30 vessels78% | Since Feb 28 strikes |
| Pre-war daily traffic | 125-140 vesselsBASELINE | Reuters baseline |
| Share of global oil & LNG | ~20%STAKES | "About a fifth" |
| Reopening timeline | ~30 daysPOST-DEAL | Post-deal (Nikkei) |
| Iran's toll position | No tollsFIRM | Service fees only |
| Partner state for protocol | OmanENGAGED | Opposite shore |
| WTI crude move | −5.5%FALLING | vs Friday's close |
Earlier, Trump said any agreement with Iran should include wider regional commitments. He suggested that several countries — including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan — should join the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalise ties with Israel.
“After all the work done by the United States… it should be mandatory that these countries sign onto the Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote on social media.
However, the proposal may complicate negotiations. Saudi Arabia has said normalisation depends on progress towards Palestinian statehood, while Pakistan does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Analysts said the suggestion adds a new element to already complex talks.
“It gives a new dimension to the diplomatic process,” said former Pakistani ambassador Masood Khan, adding that negotiations are still ongoing.
Trump also repeated his demand that Iran’s enriched uranium be removed or destroyed under international supervision, a key issue in the talks. It remains unclear when a final agreement might be reached.
The Strait of Hormuz is arguably the world’s most vital and sensitive maritime chokepoint. Situated between Iran and Oman, it links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as the only sea route connecting the oil-rich Middle East to global markets.
The massive volume of energy shipments passing through this narrow stretch of water makes it a critical artery of the global economy. Roughly 20 million barrels of petroleum and crude oil pass through the strait every single day. This accounts for about 25 per cent of all seaborne oil traded globally.
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