Tehran: Amidst negotiations underway, US military in renewed attempts launched strikes on Bandar Abbas targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines, in what it describes- as a self defence action.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), in a statement, said the fresh strikes were taken in “self-defence”, “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”. According to the US agency, the targets included missile launch sites and boats trying to “emplace mines”.
Hours after the US strikes, Trump in a social media post said he expected Iran to handover the Uranium enrichment to the US to be destroyed or dismantled elsewhere under international supervision in coordination with Iran. He, however, did not clarify whether the proposal formed part of an agreement with Tehran, leaving uncertainty over its role in ongoing negotiations.
“The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event,” Trump wrote.
Though Tehran is yet to respond on the latest attack. Local media claims investigations are underway after 3 explosions were heard. According to IRGC, the sound of an explosion was heard near Bandar Abba airport following which air defence system was activated. Strategically localted along the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abba is the key Iranian Naval Air Base. Similar sounds were heard in the Persian Guld near Sirk and Jask.
The attack as per reports follows the recent take down of hostile drone in the Persian Gulf area.
It remains unclear if the latest strike would have any impact on the peace negotiations underway between the two nations.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism that a deal with Iran could still be reached despite fresh US strikes in southern Iran. Speaking in Jaipur, Rubio said discussions in Qatar were continuing and negotiations had entered a phase focused on the “specific language” of an initial agreement, which could take “a few days” to finalize.
On demands on signing the Abraham Accords on Monday, Gulf nations including Pakistan rejected the proposal. Gulf heavyweights reportedly denying the proposal said they will never normalize ties with Israel unless an independent Palestine state is established.
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