As Qatar Talks Continue, U.S. Confirms Strikes in Iran; Rubio Warns: "The Strait Must Stay Open"

The United States confirmed overnight (between Monday and Tuesday) that it carried out strikes in southern Iran. A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, told Fox News that this was a military operation intended, in his words, to protect American forces from threats coming from Iran.

According to Hawkins, "U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran to protect our forces from threats posed by Iranian forces. The targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats that attempted to lay mines. U.S. Central Command continues to protect our forces while exercising restraint during the ongoing ceasefire."

Fox News’ military correspondent reported that the United States struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats carrying operatives who were trying to lay naval mines in shipping lanes in Hormuz. In addition, an air defense system in Bandar Abbas that fired at American fighter jets was also attacked. Four Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel were killed in the strike.

Against the backdrop of the strikes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that several rounds of talks took place in Qatar during the day, and made clear that finalizing the wording of the deal is not expected to happen immediately. According to him, negotiations over the details of the agreement could continue for several more days.

Rubio also addressed the strikes in southern Iran: "The strait must be open, it will be open one way or another," he said, linking the military activity to the American interest in maintaining freedom of maritime movement.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump posted a statement overnight on Truth Social laying out his position on the issue of Iran’s enriched uranium: "The enriched uranium will be transferred immediately to the United States to be destroyed, or alternatively, and preferably, in coordination and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed where it is located or at another site to be agreed upon, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or a comparable body, serving as witness to the process and this event. Thank you for your attention to this matter!".