US military strikes targets in southern Iran, citing defensive actions

The US military says it has carried out strikes against targets in southern Iran, including missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines.

US Central Command described the strikes as defensive actions.

In a statement, US Centcom said the strikes were designed "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces".

"US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," said US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson.

Earlier today Iranian media reported explosions in coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz and in Bandar Abbas, but said the cause was unknown.

Iran's Mehr news agency said the situation in Bandar Abbas was under control and there was no cause for concern after the explosions were heard east of the city.

The Tasnim news agency said three explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, while the Fars news agency said similar sounds were heard close to Sirik and Jask, near the strategic waterway.

No official Iranian source has commented.

US and Iranian forces have observed a ceasefire since April 8.

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.

The US military said more than 200 aircraft and warships were supporting the mission, including multiple guided missile destroyers.

Strikes occur during peace talks

Iran's top negotiator and its foreign minister are in Doha today for talks with Qatar's prime minister on a potential deal with the US.

However, officials from Washington and Tehran played down hopes for an imminent breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump said that a deal with Iran would either be "great and meaningful" or there would be "no deal".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier told reporters in New Delhi that the US would give diplomacy every chance to succeed before considering whether to deal with Iran in "another way".

There was a "pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the strait [of Hormuz], get the strait open, enter into a very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter, and hopefully we can pull it off," Mr Rubio said.