The United States military said it carried out strikes in southern Iran on Monday “to protect ‌our ⁠troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”, reported Reuters.The strikes came despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran and ongoing talks to secure a broader agreement to end the conflict in West Asia.The forces targeted Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to “emplace mines”, AFP quoted US Central Command Spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins as having claimed.The attacks were carried out near Bandar Abbas, a major port and Iranian Navy base near the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times quoted an unidentified US military official as saying.Hawkins described the strikes as “self-defence” actions carried out while the US was “using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire”.The strikes came as senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Doha for talks aimed at reaching a permanent peace settlement with Washington, Al Jazeera reported.Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely”. On the other hand, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that while progress had been made on many matters, a deal “is not imminent”, BBC reported.“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqai said. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no-one can make such a claim.”The warThe US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran’s action posed an existential threat to Israel. Washington acts as a guarantor of Israel’s security. Iran retaliated by striking Israel and US military bases in the region, targeting major cities in Gulf countries and ships.Tehran also effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterbody connecting the Gulf to the Arabian Sea, for most international commercial vessels, triggering a global energy crisis. About 20% of global petroleum supply passes through the maritime chokepoint.The peace talks between Iran and the US that were held in Islamabad, Pakistan, collapsed on April 12, but the ceasefire that began on April 8 in the region has largely held so far.During the ceasefire, Iran has maintained controls on Gulf shipping while the US Navy has sought to blockade Iranian ports.Israel has been claiming that Iran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, which could alter the regional security balance. Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.Edited by Sneha.