U.S. forces carried out what officials described as “defensive strikes” in southern Iran on Monday, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the fragile ceasefire between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran. The strikes come amid ongoing negotiations aimed at formally ending the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and securing a broader regional agreement that could reopen critical energy routes.
A CENTCOM spokesperson, Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, said the operations were intended to protect U.S. personnel in the region from imminent threats. He said the strikes targeted Iranian military activity, including suspected mine-laying boats and missile launch sites in southern Iran. Hawkins emphasized restraint in the U.S. approach despite continued tensions.
“U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins said.
According to CENTCOM, the actions were conducted in response to perceived threats to U.S. troops stationed in the region, particularly around strategic maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global energy supplies, remains a central flashpoint in the standoff.
Earlier on Monday, reporting from Reuters indicated explosions in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas and surrounding coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have not publicly detailed the extent of damage or attributed responsibility for the blasts.
The current ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in place since April 7. While sporadic incidents have occurred since last month, both sides have largely avoided actions that would formally violate the truce. Diplomatic channels remain active as negotiators work toward a longer-term framework.
A memorandum of understanding has reportedly emerged between Tehran and Washington, though it has not yet been finalized. If implemented, the agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, allowing roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply to flow freely again. It would also formally end hostilities under a structured ceasefire extension.
Energy markets have reacted sharply to the prolonged instability. Global gas prices have surged since the conflict began in late February. In the United States, the national average price for gasoline has reached $4.50 as of Monday, according to AAA.
The proposed agreement reportedly includes provisions requiring Iran to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium, with verification mechanisms still under discussion. The Associated Press reported that implementation details would be negotiated during a potential 60-day extension of the ceasefire period.
President Donald Trump commented on the negotiations Monday, expressing cautious optimism about the direction of talks. He described the potential deal as “a Great Deal for all” and said discussions were progressing favorably.
“The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
U.S. officials have consistently maintained that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons capability, while Iranian leaders continue to assert that their nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes. As negotiations continue, the situation remains highly sensitive, with both military and diplomatic developments shaping the path forward.
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