US military launches strikes on southern Iran amid talks in Qatar

The US military has conducted strikes on locations in southern Iran, according to a statement from the US military, as top negotiators from Tehran meet in Qatar for discussions aimed at securing a peace agreement with Washington. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that these strikes were defensive actions to safeguard US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, noted in a statement to Al Jazeera late Monday that “targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to place mines.” He added that CENTCOM remains committed to protecting US forces while exercising restraint during the ongoing ceasefire. Further details about the strikes were not disclosed by CENTCOM. These recent attacks occur despite an official ceasefire between the US and Iran that has been in effect since April 8. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, indicated that the strikes could disrupt the current negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israel conflict with Iran. “There is very limited information from the US; we do not know how extensive the operation is. It’s difficult to determine if this incident is out of the ordinary,” he explained. “However, Trump is eager to advance the talks and finalize a peace agreement.” Earlier on Monday, a senior Iranian delegation arrived in Doha to address obstacles to establishing a lasting peace deal. This delegation includes Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Their arrival coincided with US President Donald Trump stating that peace discussions were “proceeding nicely,” while emphasizing that he would not settle for anything less than a significant agreement. Trump expressed on Truth Social, “It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!”