The U.S. on Monday carried out renewed missile strikes on Iran, putting at risk a fragile cease-fire and diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed its forces attacked alleged missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines.
The strikes came as top Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for the latest round of talks to end the three-month conflict and as the Israeli military stepped up hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Oil prices fluctuated in the wake of the U.S. strikes, which may threaten any agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where an Iranian blockade has throttled global fuel supplies.
"U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesman, claimed in a statement.
