WASHINGTON (MNN); The United States military carried out fresh overnight strikes inside Iran, targeting a military site believed to pose a threat to American forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the official said US forces also intercepted and shot down several Iranian drones that were considered a similar threat to regional security and maritime traffic.
The strikes had not been publicly disclosed earlier and come at a sensitive moment as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at ending the three-month conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and shaken global energy markets.
The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks and has since raised fears of wider regional instability while driving oil prices sharply higher.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump rejected Iranian state media reports claiming Iran and Oman would jointly oversee shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under a possible peace agreement.
Trump said the strategic waterway would remain open and free for international shipping.
The latest operation follows US strikes on Monday that Washington described as defensive action. Iran condemned those attacks as a violation of the fragile ceasefire currently linked to ongoing diplomatic talks.
According to the US military’s Central Command, Monday’s targets included boats allegedly attempting to lay naval mines and missile launch sites believed to threaten American personnel and maritime operations in the area.
The renewed military activity comes as efforts continue to secure a broader agreement between the United States and Iran to reduce tensions in the Gulf and prevent further escalation.
