US military strikes Iranian missile launch sites, boats in 'self-defense' action in southern Iran

Amid ongoing negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, U.S. forces launched “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on Monday evening, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesperson Col. Tim Hawkins said in a statement.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” he continued.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the incident began when the U.S. sank two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ships attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, to which Iranian forces responded by launching surface-to-air missiles at U.S. planes, which triggered the strikes on missile launch sites near Bandar Abbas.

“U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Col. Hawkins stressed.

Continued below.