The United States executed what it termed “self-defense strikes” within Iran on Monday night, intensifying regional tensions amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a tenuous ceasefire and advance peace talks. According to U.S. Central Command, American military forces targeted specific missile launch sites in southern Iran, as well as Iranian vessels attempting to deploy naval mines in critical shipping lanes used by both military and commercial vessels. “U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” stated Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, in a statement to Fox News. “The targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to place mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while exercising restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.”
Stalemate in DohaÂ
On the same day, senior Iranian negotiators were in Doha to discuss ending hostilities with the United States. However, both parties have expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a breakthrough deal. Since April 7, a fragile ceasefire has been in place, with only minor skirmishes reported that have not breached the ceasefire terms. Recent hopes for a resolution were dimmed following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to “crush” Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has insisted on a comprehensive agreement involving the normalization of relations with Israel as part of any deal with Iran. Adding to the complexity, Trump proposed specific measures for handling Iran’s enriched uranium, a major obstacle in peace negotiations, via his Truth Social platform. He suggested that the uranium should either be transferred to the U.S. for destruction or be destroyed in coordination with Iran at an agreed location, with oversight by the Atomic Energy Commission or a similar entity.
The Saturday CallsÂ
It remains unclear whether this proposal is part of any emerging agreement with Iran. Notably, the Atomic Energy Commission, mentioned by Trump, was disbanded in 1974, with its responsibilities reassigned to other agencies. Earlier on Monday, Trump asserted that several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Bahrain, and Jordan, should join the Abraham Accords—agreements established in 2020 to normalize relations with Israel. Trump claimed he had spoken with these nations’ leaders on Saturday about efforts to end the conflict with Iran. Bahrain and the UAE have already signed the accords, alongside Morocco and Sudan. As U.S. and Iranian forces adhere to the ceasefire since April 8, diplomats continue to advocate for a negotiated resolution. However, Iran maintains control over Gulf shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. Navy attempts to blockade Iranian ports. Trump emphasized that any deal with Iran would be either “great and meaningful” or there would be “no deal” at all.
But while the accords were welcomed by some, they remain deeply unpopular in many parts of the Middle East – in part because they fail to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gulf heavyweights like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have said they will never normalize ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is created. Saudi Arabia’s position on the Palestinian issue remains unchanged, a Saudi source told Riyadh-based broadcaster Al Arabiya on Monday, adding that ‘there needs to be an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.’ Anna Jacobs of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington said Trump’s latest demand added to the disaster that has been the war on all fronts for Gulf nations.
‘The national security of the Gulf states has been threatened more than ever before because of President Trump’s reckless decisions, and he expects Arab states to thank him and to normalize relations with Israel, which they will not do at this stage,’ she said. ‘These expectations and assumptions from this US administration shows how little they understand the Middle East.’ Trump’s maximalist demand came after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached within the day, causing world oil prices to tumble based on renewed optimism about an agreement. ‘We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today,’ Secretary of State Rubio told reporters during a visit to New Delhi, referring to hopes for a deal.
