US strikes Iran missile sites, boats amid nuclear deal talks

The United States military carried out "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz amid an ongoing ceasefire between the two countries, CNN reported, citing US Central Command (CENTCOM)."US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," CENTCOM spokesman Timothy Hawkins told CNN in a statement when asked about reports of explosions near the strategic waterway. He said the targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to deploy mines.

"US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," Hawkins told CNN.US and Iranian forces have previously exchanged fire during the ceasefire period.In early May, US forces had struck Iranian military facilities allegedly involved in "unprovoked" missile, drone and small boat attacks on American warships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

This development comes hours after the US made headway in the ceasefire negotiations with President Donald Trump stating that Iran's enriched uranium will be "turned over" to the US to be destroyed or will be destroyed at an acceptable location.

This also confirms the New York Times report that Iran has agreed in principle to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of an emerging, US-led framework aimed at halting regional conflict[G1] . This also resolves the key difference between the two countries, as CNN had earlier reported that the disagreements over "language on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions" have slowed the finalisation of a broader understanding to finalise the deal between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier, Trump had asserted that any forthcoming accord with Tehran would strictly manifest as a "great and meaningful" deal, or the administration would walk away entirely, as diplomatic talks aimed at officially concluding the conflict continue to stretch out.Iran had signalled that the parties have arrived at a conclusion over a large number of topics, but pointed to the apprehensions over Washington's frequent changes in positions, complicating the negotiations.Esmaeil Baqaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said, "It is correct that we have reached conclusions on a large portion of the discussion topics, but to say that this means the signing of an imminent agreement is something no one can claim. The frequent changes in the positions of American officials complicate every negotiation".