On the night of May 25, along the southern Iranian coast near Bandar Abbas, the old logic of deterrence was once again tested by fire: American forces struck what they called missile sites and boats laying mines, describing the blows as self-defence within a ceasefire that has held, fragilely, for weeks. Iranian reports speak of four soldiers dead and an unanswered silence from Tehran, while in Doha negotiators weigh the reopening of a strait that shapes the price of energy far beyond the Gulf. It is the familiar human pattern of two powers speaking of restraint while preparing for escalation,
US Strikes Southern Iran as Explosions Hit Strait of Hormuz Amid Fragile Ceasefire and Peace Talks
Four Iranian soldiers were reported killed in US strikes on boats, according to Iranian state media via Tabnak.
A ceasefire that shakes while the negotiators talk
On the night of May 25, along the southern Iranian coast near Bandar Abbas, the old logic of deterrence was once again tested by fire: American forces struck what they called missile sites and boats laying mines, describing the blows as self-defence within a ceasefire that has held, fragilely, for weeks. Iranian reports speak of four soldiers dead and an unanswered silence from Tehran, while in Doha negotiators weigh the reopening of a strait that shapes the price of energy far beyond the Gulf. It is the familiar human pattern of two powers speaking of restraint while preparing for escalation, and the question the moment leaves hanging is whether the patience of diplomacy can outlast the arithmetic of military action.
On Monday, May 25, explosions rolled across the area east of Bandar Abbas, the Iranian port city on the Strait of Hormuz where a military port and a dual-use airport sit side by side. Iranian state television reported the blasts before anyone knew their cause. Later, US Central Command confirmed it had launched new strikes on southern Iran, calling them self-defense actions meant to protect American troops. The targets, the command said, were missile launch sites and boats trying to lay mines.
The strikes carried a human price. Tabnak, an outlet believed to be close to former Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei, reported that four Iranian soldiers killed on the boats had been identified, and state media carried the account of their deaths. Tehran had not yet answered when the reports were filed.
The exchange landed on a ceasefire that had held for weeks in a conflict nearly three months old. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after joint US and Israeli strikes, and the waterway, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas once flowed, remains largely under Iranian control. At the same time, Iran's negotiators were in Doha, meeting Qatar's prime minister to discuss the strait, the enriched uranium stockpile and possibly frozen funds. Iran's foreign ministry said progress had been made, but not that a signing was near.
Washington spoke in similar tones of patience. A memorandum of understanding, Trump said, had been largely negotiated, and the blockade on Iranian ships would stay until a deal was signed. A senior official said the deal was 95 percent done, but that Iran's system needs days to change its wording. Oil prices dropped to their lowest since May 7 on the hope of agreement. Whether Iran answers the strikes, and whether Doha can hold the ceasefire long enough to settle the strait and the uranium, remains the open question.
On Monday, May 25, Iranian media reported explosions east of Bandar Abbas, a city on the Strait of Hormuz that is home to a military port and a dual-use airport. Iranian state television also reported blasts around the city. The cause was initially unknown. Later, US Central Command confirmed it had carried out new strikes on southern Iran.
Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins described the action as "self-defense strikes" meant to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. According to the command, the targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats that were attempting to place mines. Hawkins said the US military continues to defend its forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire. Fox News first carried the military's account on Monday.
There was a human cost. Tabnak, an outlet believed to be close to former Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei, reported that four Iranian soldiers killed in the strikes on the boats had been identified, and Iranian state media carried the account of deaths. Iran had not yet responded to the attack when the reports were filed.
The strikes were the latest to shake a ceasefire that has held for weeks in a war now almost three months old. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after joint US and Israeli strikes on several key Iranian sites. Before the conflict, a fifth of the world's traded crude oil and natural gas passed through it. The waterway remains effectively under Iranian control, disrupting global energy markets. Iran says 32 ships have passed through after obtaining permission, coordinated with the IRGC Navy. Fars news agency also reported that Iran shot down a "hostile drone" over Gulf waters, a claim attributed to unnamed officials.
The military exchange came as diplomacy continued. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, joined Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati in Doha to meet Qatar's prime minister. An official told Reuters the talks centre on the strait and Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with the possible release of frozen Iranian funds also on the agenda. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said progress had been made on a large portion of the topics in Pakistan-mediated talks, but that this does not mean a signing is imminent.
Washington struck a similar note. On Saturday, President Trump said a memorandum of understanding had been "largely negotiated"; it would reopen the strait and allow 30 more days for nuclear talks. On Sunday he said both sides must take their time, and that the US blockade on Iranian ships would stay in force until an agreement is signed. A senior administration official said "95% is done" but that changing words takes days in Iran's system, and offered the line "no dust, no dollars": no sanctions relief without Iran handing over its enriched uranium. Reports suggested five to seven days at least. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in New Delhi, said Trump would make "either a good deal or no deal."
Oil prices fell more than 4% on Monday to their lowest since May 7 on hopes of an agreement. Around the talks, other pressures surfaced. Trump urged Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain to join the Abraham Accords; Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif, said he personally opposed doing so. Reuters reported that Netanyahu has told confidants Israel has little influence over Trump on Iran, and wants to keep operating against threats, including in Lebanon. Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, wrote on Telegram that Gulf states would no longer shield US bases.
What to watch is whether Iran answers the strikes, and whether the Doha talks hold the ceasefire together long enough to settle the strait and the uranium question.
Citações Notáveis
U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.— Captain Tim Hawkins, US Central Command
A deal is not imminent, though progress has been made on a large portion of topics.— Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman (paraphrased)
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War & Conflict