U.S. strikes targets in Iran, citing threats posed to American troops

The United States launched new “self-defense” strikes on Iran, the U.S. military said Monday night, potentially complicating negotiations to end the war that President Donald Trump launched in February.

Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a military spokesman, said in a statement that the strikes occurred in southern Iran “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.” Targets included missile-launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to set mines, the statement said.

Hawkins said U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the region, “continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.”

The strikes occurred after a weekend of negotiations between the Trump administration and the Iranian regime to bring the war to a close. The conflict began Feb. 28 with massive U.S. strikes on Iran after months of pressure by Trump to end Tehran’s nuclear program. A tense ceasefire began April 8, though it has been interrupted by sporadic exchanges of fire.

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