The US military carried out strikes in southern Iran on Monday, according to remarks attributed to a spokesperson for US Central Command (Centcom) in a report by Fox News.

Tim Hawkins, a Centcom spokesperson, said US forces targeted missile launch sites and Iranian boats allegedly attempting to place mines.

“US forces conducted self-defence today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Hawkins was reported as saying by Fox News.

"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, according to the report.

“US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins was quoted as saying.