US military strikes Iranian missile launch sites, mine-laying boats

The US military struck missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday, according to the 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 spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in a statement.

?Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,? he said.

The strikes



threatened an already fragile ceasefire that began April 8 as the United States and Iran struggle to reach an accord to end a war that has rattled the global economy with a severe disruption of energy flows.

Iran has maintained controls on Gulf shipping through the Strait of Hormuz despite the US Navy enforcing a blockade on Iran?s ports. Last week, US Central Command said the naval blockade on Iran had redirected 100 vessels and disabled four. The blockade is ?allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports, which has squeezed Iran economically?, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.