The US military has carried out new strikes targeting an Iranian drone operation in the Strait of Hormuz, following reports of a potential deal to restore traffic through the strategic waterway.
The United States military launched targeted operations against Iranian drone facilities and control stations in the port city of Bandar Abbas, aiming to counter threats posed by the Iranian drone program to US forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a US official who spoke anonymously, four Iranian attack drones were shot down, while a ground control station was struck, preventing the launch of a fifth drone.
This military action comes after President
Donald Trump dismissed an Iranian report claiming a preliminary agreement had been reached to resume normal traffic through the waterway.
The ceasefire between the US and Iran, which went into effect in early April, has seen intermittent violations.
The recent strikes by the US represent 'measured, purely defensive actions aimed at maintaining the ceasefire,' as per the official statement.
In response, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy attempted to target a US oil tanker attempting to pass through the strait, forcing it to retreat.
No casualties or damage were reported in the incident.
The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28 with strikes by the US and Israel, has resulted in thousands of deaths and significant increases in global energy prices.
The primary issues remaining in negotiations to end the conflict include Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is governed by international law, granting foreign vessels the right to pass through.
US forces continue to maintain a presence in the region, with 15,000 troops involved in enforcing a blockade against Iran.
Additional US military personnel are stationed at bases throughout the Gulf states and other areas in the Middle East.
The recent strikes by the US have led to an increase in oil prices, which had fallen over 5% earlier in the day.
The situation remains complex, with ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, and discussions regarding potential agreements to end the conflict.
International cooperation has been sought by the US, particularly from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan, though these efforts have not yet yielded a definitive outcome.