While diplomacy moved forward, U.S. Central Command announced that American forces carried
out what it described as “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran. Capt. Tim Hawkins said the operation targeted missile facilities and Iranian vessels allegedly involved in efforts to place naval mines near key maritime routes. U.S. military officials said the strikes were designed to protect American personnel and assets while maintaining the broader cease-fire framework. A senior defense official said U.S. aircraft and naval forces operating near the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea had faced threats from Iranian surface-to-air missile systems, with the strikes occurring near the Iranian naval hub of Bandar Abbas.
Negotiations Continue Despite Military Action
Despite the military escalation, negotiations continued in Qatar. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran and Washington had reached areas of understanding on several issues but warned that a final agreement had not yet been achieved. He also accused the United States of shifting its positions during the negotiations. President Trump said any future agreement with Iran would be “good and proper,” while continuing to criticize the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration.
Trump argued that the previous agreement provided Iran with economic relief without creating a permanent guarantee that Tehran would not pursue nuclear weapons capability. According to a senior U.S. administration official, negotiators have made progress on a proposed framework that would require Iran to eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and accept major limits on future uranium enrichment activities. In return, the United States would reportedly end its naval blockade and begin a phased reduction of economic sanctions.
Officials said the major political issues have largely been resolved in principle, but technical details, verification procedures, and enforcement measures remain under discussion. Washington’s priority is securing a long-term and verifiable agreement that prevents Iran from exceeding agreed nuclear limits, with strong enforcement mechanisms considered a central element of any deal. The administration believes recent military pressure has increased Iran’s willingness to negotiate. If completed, the agreement would reportedly place stricter restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program than the 2015 accord, reflecting the Trump administration’s push for a broader and more enforceable settlement.
