Washington DC: The United States military carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, even as ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.

According to a report by CNN, the strikes were confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

“U.S. forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesperson Timothy Hawkins told CNN while responding to reports of explosions near the Strait of Hormuz.

Hawkins said the targets included missile launch sites as well as Iranian boats allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines.

“US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins added.

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The latest strikes come amid continued tensions between US and Iranian forces despite an ongoing ceasefire framework. Earlier in May, US forces had targeted Iranian military facilities that Washington claimed were linked to “unprovoked” missile, drone and small boat attacks on American warships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The military escalation comes just hours after US President Donald Trump indicated progress in ceasefire negotiations with Iran, saying Tehran’s stockpile of enriched uranium would either be handed over to the US or destroyed under international supervision.

“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 his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump’s remarks appeared to signal a possible softening of Tehran’s stance as both countries attempt to finalise a broader peace agreement.

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The statement also aligns with a recent report by The New York Times, which claimed Iran had agreed in principle to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of a US-backed diplomatic framework aimed at reducing regional tensions.

Previous reports by CNN had suggested that disagreements over “language on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions” were delaying the finalisation of a comprehensive deal between Washington and Tehran.

Trump had earlier maintained that any future agreement with Iran must be a “great and meaningful” deal, warning that the US would walk away if negotiations failed to meet expectations.

Meanwhile, Iran acknowledged progress in negotiations but cautioned that shifting American positions continue to complicate discussions.

“It is correct that we have reached conclusions on a large portion of the discussion topics, but to say that this means the signing of an imminent agreement is something no one can claim. The frequent changes in the positions of American officials complicate every negotiation,” said Esmaeil Baqaei.

Israel ramps up Lebanon operations, strikes 70+ Hezbollah targets

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched fresh waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, hitting more than 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites, using around 85 munitions.

IDF, in a post on X, said that in the area of Tyre, 10 command centres, weapons storage facilities and additional infrastructure sites used by Hezbollah were struck.

"Additionally, Hezbollah terrorists operating on motorcycles were eliminated," the IDF added.

Additionally, the Israel Air Force attacked the Hezbollah organisation's infrastructure in the Beqaa Valley and several additional areas in Lebanon.

Al Jazeera, citing Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), reported that Israeli air strikes have killed seven people and left several others wounded.