US forces attack missile launchers in southern Iran.

Despite the ceasefire being in effect, US forces have just carried out a series of airstrikes targeting objectives in southern Iran. This move comes just as senior negotiators from Tehran have arrived in Doha, Qatar, to discuss an agreement to end the conflict.

People walk past a large poster depicting the Strait of Hormuz in Tehran on May 25. Photo: AFP

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on May 25 (local time) that its forces had carried out attacks targeting missile launchers and several ships allegedly intending to lay mines in southern Iran.

Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, stated that these were actions of "self-defense" aimed at protecting U.S. forces from threats. However, the U.S. did not provide further specific details about the scale or damage of these airstrikes.

Washington's latest military move seriously threatens the already fragile ceasefire established on April 8. Over the past few months, the US and Iran have been struggling at the negotiating table to find an agreement to end the conflict – a war that has been rocking the global economy with severe disruptions to energy supply chains.

The prospect of a comprehensive peace agreement continues to face significant obstacles from unilateral demands. Recently, US President Donald Trump demanded that Iran either hand over its enriched uranium to the US for destruction or destroy it immediately in Iran under international supervision.

At the same time, Trump also pressured countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, etc., to join the Abraham Accords – the agreement to normalize relations with Israel – as a condition of the peace process with Iran.

In fact, the Abraham Accords still face strong opposition in many parts of the Middle East because they fail to address the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Influential regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have firmly stated that they will not normalize relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

Despite the complex developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached soon, which could help bring world oil prices closer to normal.

However, Tehran officials were much more cautious. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the two sides had reached agreement on most of the issues under discussion.

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However, no one can claim that the signing of an agreement is imminent.

Mr. Baqaei emphasized

Iran also maintains that negotiations on its nuclear program will be postponed until an initial ceasefire agreement is realized.

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