US Military Carries Out Defensive Strikes In Southern Iran, Says CENTCOM
Washington balances military action with diplomatic negotiations.
The United States military said it carried out what it described as “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly involved in placing naval mines, even as diplomatic negotiations aimed at easing tensions with Tehran continued. The announcement came amid renewed efforts by US President Donald Trump to advance a broader regional agreement tied to normalization efforts between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations.
According to a statement issued by US Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins, the strikes were conducted to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. The military said it was exercising restraint during the ongoing ceasefire discussions but acted in response to perceived risks against US personnel operating in the region. Officials did not immediately disclose additional operational details or specify the exact nature of the threats that prompted the strikes.
The military action unfolded as Trump stated on social media that negotiations involving Iran were “proceeding nicely.” However, the president also introduced a new diplomatic condition, arguing that any agreement ending the conflict with Iran should require additional countries to join the Abraham Accords, the US-backed normalization framework established during his first term in office. Trump named Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan among the nations he believes should formally recognize Israel under the accords.
Also Read: CENTCOM Confirms US Warships Enter Gulf To Secure Maritime Shipping Through Hormuz
The proposal has added another layer of complexity to already sensitive negotiations. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly maintained that any normalization agreement with Israel must include a clear pathway toward Palestinian statehood, a position echoed by several other Muslim-majority countries. Pakistan, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, also reiterated that its long-standing position remains unchanged despite Trump’s comments. Islamabad-based analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said Pakistan’s policy on Israel continues to be linked to broader regional and Palestinian concerns.
Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Masood Khan said the sudden inclusion of the Abraham Accords into ongoing diplomatic efforts could significantly alter the direction of negotiations. He noted that the accords had not previously been part of discussions related to Iran and suggested the move may reflect domestic political pressure on Trump to secure a favorable foreign policy outcome. Despite the complications, Khan said diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan and regional partners remained active.
The Abraham Accords, brokered with US support in 2020, initially normalized relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with later participation from countries including Morocco and Sudan. The agreements were presented as a framework for expanding economic, diplomatic and security cooperation across the Middle East and North Africa. While Trump indicated that even Iran could eventually become part of the arrangement, analysts say major political and regional obstacles remain before any broader normalization framework can be achieved.
Also Read: Iran Agrees In Principle To Give Up Enriched Uranium In US Talks
