US carries out 'self-defence' strikes in southern Iran

The US military said it carried out self-defence strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats placing mines. The strikes were described as necessary to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, with restraint claimed during an ongoing ceasefire. No official response from Iran was reported, while Iran sent parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to Qatar for negotiations on a possible deal with the US. Iranian outlets reported deaths of Revolutionary Guard troops and blasts near Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city on the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said any agreement should require additional countries to join the Abraham Accords, naming Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others, while negotiations were said to be proceeding.

"The US military said on Monday that it carried out "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines. US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said the strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," but that it was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire"."

"There was no official response from Iran, which had sent its parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to Qatar for negotiations over the possible deal with the US. The news website Tabnak, believed to be close to former Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei, identified four dead Guard troops it said had been killed in American strikes on boats."

"Iranian state television reported blasts around Bandar Abbas, a city on the Strait of Hormuz, which is home to a military port and a dual-use airport. President Donald Trump said on Monday that any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords."

"Mr Trump said in a social media post that negotiations are "proceeding nicely", but tied any eventual agreement to expanded participation in the 2020 accords. The proposal came as the emerging Iran deal faced criticism from fellow Republicans who favour a harder line on Iran. Mr Trump pointed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as countries that should "immediately" sign on, alongside Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan."

Read at Irish Independent