A statement from the U.S. military said the strikes were carried out in self-defense and to prevent threats posed by Iranian forces to American troops stationed in the region.
The spokesperson for U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, Capt. Tim Hawkins, said the U.S. remains committed to protecting its forces by keeping adversaries under pressure even during ongoing negotiations.
Capt. Hawkins stated that the strikes mainly targeted the Bandar Abbas area, a southern city hosting naval military bases near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported major explosions, while officials in Bandar Abbas were conducting investigations.
The BBC reported that Iran had not responded to the strikes, but Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqai, had earlier said negotiations were progressing well and that signing an agreement was not urgent.
Following the strikes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said reaching an agreement was still possible, adding that on May 26, Iranian negotiators would meet with the Prime Minister of Qatar.
“We will see whether progress can be made. I think there are still many issues that need to be discussed so everyone can reach a common understanding on the basic framework, so it will take some time,” he said.
He added that President Donald Trump was also prepared to sign the agreement.
The conflict between the United States and Iran, which began on February 28, has caused global economic disruptions after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which 20% of the world’s daily oil supply passes.
