US launches new strikes on Iran targeting boats and missile launch sites

The US military has unleashed fresh strikes against Iranian missile launch sites and boats at the Strait of Hormuz.

Military officials insisted that the airstrikes were carried out in ‘self-defence’ and to ‘protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.’

The latest strikes on Monday have cast a shadow over the already fragile ceasefire and raised doubts about a deal being reached.

US Central Command’s spokesman Timothy Hawkins said: ‘Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.’

Iran has not yet responded to the latest attacks, but state-linked media has hinted that they breach the current ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, signalled that the talks between Washington and Tehran were continuing despite the military action.

When asked about the airstrikes, he said: ‘The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open.’

Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s negotiation team, said that while the parties have made headway on a large part of the issues, the signing of an agreement was not imminent.

Monday’s strikes targeted the port city of Bandar Abbas, where an Iranian naval base is located, the New York Times reports.

Both the US and Iran have previously exchanged fire during the pause in fighting.

In early May, explosions rocked cities around the Strait of Hormuz, including in the ports of Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas.

The US CENTCOM said at the time the strikes were in self-defence and targeted Iranian military facilities, while officials insisted that it didn’t mean that fighting had resumed.

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المصدر: Metro UK