The United States announced that it launched strikes on Monday against missile launch sites in southern Iran and boats attempting to plant mines, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire and raising doubts about the potential to reach an agreement to end the war with Iran.
اضافة اعلان
The strikes came as senior Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for the latest round of talks aimed at ending the months-long conflict, and amid an escalation of hostilities by the Israeli occupation military in southern Lebanon.
"US forces conducted defensive strikes in southern Iran today to protect our forces from threats posed by Iranian forces," US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in a statement.
The statement provided no further details about the attacks, other than stating that the targets included missile launch sites and boats attempting to "plant mines."
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard around midnight local time (20:30 GMT Monday) near Bandar Abbas. It added that the situation in the southern port city remains normal, and local authorities are investigating the cause of the blasts.
These strikes threaten the fragile ceasefire that took effect between the two sides on April 8, even as the US and Iran engage in diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement to end a war that has shaken the global economy and disrupted energy flows.
Hopes for a deal also faced a fresh setback as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "crush" Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran demands that any peace agreement must include a cessation of the ongoing fighting in Lebanon.
Trump's Statement on Enriched Uranium
In a social media post, Trump stated that he expects Iran to either hand over its enriched uranium to the United States for destruction or destroy it on-site in the presence of international witnesses.
Trump wrote: "The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust) will either be immediately handed over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed, or better yet, in coordination with Iran, destroyed on site or at another acceptable location with the Atomic Energy Commission, or equivalent, as a witness to this process and event."
(Note: The Atomic Energy Commission cited by Trump was abolished in 1974, with its duties split between two successor agencies).
US and Iranian forces had largely adhered to the ceasefire since April 8, while diplomats pressed for a negotiated settlement.
"A Good Deal"
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken—or alternative officials according to context—[Note: The text explicitly mentions Marco Rubio as Secretary of State] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that a deal with Iran remains possible despite the new US strikes.
"There were some talks in Qatar today, and we'll see if we can make any progress (...) so it's going to take a few days," Rubio told reporters in Jaipur during an official visit to India. He added, "The President has expressed his desire to reach a deal. He will either make a good deal or no deal at all."
Rubio affirmed on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened "one way or another," adding, "What is happening there is illegal, illegitimate, unsustainable for the world, and unacceptable."
For his part, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated during a weekly briefing on Monday regarding talks with the US: "It can be said that we have reached a conclusion on a large number of issues under discussion," but added, "it cannot be said that this means a deal is imminent," accusing Washington of shifting its positions.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported that an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker and Chief Negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is visiting Doha as part of the "diplomatic track" mediated by Pakistan to end the war with the United States. Other Iranian media, including Tasnim and Fars news agencies, reported that the delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.
An informed source in Doha stated that the talks fall within the framework of "ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war." The source added, "The Central Bank Governor is part of the delegation to discuss the issue of frozen (Iranian) assets, which is addressed in the memorandum of understanding as part of a potential final agreement."
Oil Market Reaction
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US oil benchmark, dropped by more than 5% on Tuesday despite the new US strikes against missile launch sites in southern Iran. Around 00:30 GMT, WTI recorded a 5.46% decrease, bringing the price per barrel to $91.33. Conversely, Brent crude rose by 1.6% to reach $97.68 per barrel.
"Intensifying" Strikes in Lebanon
According to Iranian media, Iran is also demanding that ending the war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah must be part of what it calls the "understanding" currently being drafted.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that Israel will intensify its military operations against Hezbollah. In a video on his Telegram channel, he said: "We will not slow down the pace of the attack; on the contrary, I have ordered it to be accelerated. We will intensify the strikes and increase their strength, and we will crush Hezbollah."
On Monday, Israel intensified its raids on southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting several areas including the coastal city of Tyre, Nabatieh, and other towns included in evacuation warnings. Following the announcement of the escalation, residents were seen fleeing the southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahiyeh).
The Israeli occupation army announced Monday that it had conducted more than 85 strikes within 24 hours in various areas of Lebanon. Netanyahu previously stated that Trump confirmed to him during a phone call Israel's "right" to defend itself on all fronts, including Lebanon—a stance echoed by Rubio, who stated, "Israel always has the right to defend itself. Every country in the world possesses this right."
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several consecutive attacks on Monday targeting three barracks and a military site in northern Israel "in response to breaches" of the ceasefire by Israel, which has declared it will "intensify" its strikes in Lebanon.
- AFP
