US Hits Iranian Missile Sites, Boats Near Hormuz Amid Qatar Talks

Global oil markets and shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz face renewed pressure after US forces struck Iranian missile sites and boats near Bandar Abbas on Monday. The action occurred while an Iranian delegation met Qatari officials in Doha to advance a potential agreement ending three months of conflict.

US Central Command described the strikes as self-defense measures against threats to American troops, specifically targeting missile launch sites and vessels attempting to emplace mines. Spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins stated that forces acted "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces" while exercising restraint under the ceasefire that began April 8. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from India, said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open "one way or the other" and estimated that finalizing any deal would require several more days of negotiations.

President Trump posted on Truth Social that talks were proceeding nicely yet insisted any agreement must constitute a "Great Deal for all, or no Deal at all." He separately called for the handover or destruction of Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed progress on many issues but rejected claims that a signing was imminent and noted that nuclear matters were not yet on the table.

Iranian state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas and claimed the downing of a hostile stealth drone. Uncorroborated Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel were killed. No official Iranian government response to the strikes has been issued.

The strikes follow earlier incidents since the April ceasefire, including a US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship in April and mutual exchanges of fire in May. Shipping through the strait remains far below pre-conflict levels of 125 to 140 vessels daily, contributing to elevated global fuel and fertilizer costs. Oil benchmarks showed mixed moves Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate down roughly 5 percent from Friday's close.

Trump also urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords as part of any broader settlement. Pakistan rejected any linkage between the issues. The International Atomic Energy Agency previously estimated Iran's 60-percent-enriched uranium stock at about 440 kilograms at the start of hostilities.