US launches strike in southern Iran

The United States said it had launched a ‘defensive strike’ in southern Iran targeting missile launchers and vessels suspected of laying sea mines.

‘US forces conducted a defensive strike in southern Iran today to protect our personnel from threats posed by Iranian forces,’ US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins told Fox News on Monday.

Hawkins said the targets included missile launch sites and Iranian vessels allegedly attempting to deploy mines.

‘CENTCOM continues to protect our forces while maintaining restraint during the ceasefire,’ he added.

CENTCOM did not immediately respond to further requests for confirmation of the statement.

Hawkins also provided no additional details on the location or scale of the US strike.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and surrounding areas of Sirik and Jask along the Gulf coast.

Semi-official Fars News Agency reported that residents in Bandar Abbas heard several explosions, though the source and exact location of the blasts could not be confirmed.

Fars also reported similar explosion sounds heard simultaneously in the Sirik and Jask regions facing the Gulf.