conflictMonday, May 25, 202613 sources

US Launches Self-Defense Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites and Boats Near Strait of Hormuz

On May 25, 2026, the United States launched strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz, citing self-defense. The strikes occurred amid ongoing ceasefire talks between the US and Iran. US Central Command confirmed the attacks, stating they were in response to threats posed by Iranian forces.

The US military, under the command of US Central Command, conducted strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were described as 'self-defense' by US officials, with the stated goal of protecting US troops from Iranian threats. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that negotiations for a deal with Iran could take 'a few days', suggesting the ceasefire talks were still in progress.

Timelines

Sources

PublicFrance 24May 26, 01:59 PM
US strikes Iranian targets amid agreement talks

The U.S. military carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on May 25, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely.” A delicate time, with the agreement possibly being days away. But Trump is now moving towards Iran's line regarding the destruction of enriched uranium. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson tells us more.

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 26, 12:09 PM
US ‘defensive’ strikes on Iran don’t signal end of ceasefire: Report - Al Arabiya English

US ‘defensive’ strikes on Iran don’t signal end of ceasefire: Report  Al Arabiya English

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 26, 09:31 AM
US hits Iran with news strikes, despite talks to end war - Al Arabiya English

US hits Iran with news strikes, despite talks to end war  Al Arabiya English

IndependentFinancial TimesMay 26, 08:04 AM
US strikes Iranian missile sites as peace talks continue - Financial Times

US strikes Iranian missile sites as peace talks continue  Financial Times

IndependentThe GuardianMay 26, 07:28 AM
US strikes Iran missile sites and mine laying vessels as Trump’s promised peace deal remains elusive

Negotiators from Iran travelled to Qatar on Monday, with the fate of the country’s nuclear programme and access to frozen assets under discussion Middle East crisis – live updates The US has launched strikes on southern Iran in a test of the seven week-long ceasefire, as both sides played down hopes for an imminent peace deal even as negotiators from Tehran began new talks in Qatar. US forces targeted missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, US central command (Centcom) said on Tuesday, but stressed that the strikes did not indicate the ceasefire with Iran was over. Continue reading...

IndependentEuronewsMay 26, 07:17 AM
US military says it has launched new strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites

According to a statement from the US Central Command, the strikes were carried out “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces", but the military was “using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire".

PublicRTEMay 26, 05:12 AM
US attacks missile sites in Iran, despite ceasefire

US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines, US Central Command said, as top Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for talks to end the war.

PublicRTEMay 26, 05:12 AM
US attacks missile sites in Iran, deal could 'take days'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that negotiating a deal with Iran could "take a few days," quashing hopes for an imminent end to the conflict a day after US forces conducted what Washington called defensive strikes in ⁠southern Iran.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostMay 26, 05:07 AM
US attacks missile sites in Iran amid negotiations to end war

US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines on Monday, US Central Command said, as top Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for talks to end the war. “US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Tim Hawkins, a US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. It gave no details of the attacks and said only that the targets included missile launch sites and boats trying to “emplace...

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 26, 04:57 AM
US military launches strikes on southern Iran amid talks in Qatar

US Central Command announces 'self-defence' strikes as Tehran's top negotiators gather in Qatar for peace talks.

IndependentWIONMay 26, 04:03 AM
US launches ‘self-defense strikes’ on Iranian missile launch sites, boats near Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire talks - WION

US launches ‘self-defense strikes’ on Iranian missile launch sites, boats near Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire talks  WION

PublicBBC WorldMay 26, 03:51 AM
US military launches new strikes on targets in southern Iran, US Central Command says

US Central Command says the strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats were taken in "self-defence".

PublicDeutsche WelleMay 25, 09:32 PM
US military says it launched new strikes on southern Iran

The US military's Central Command said it had carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu said he ordered the military to increase strikes against Hezbollah. DW has more.