US forces carried out new strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after United States President Donald Trump said Tehran is “negotiating at a slow pace.”
According to US officials who requested anonymity, in comments to the Associated Press (AP), US Central Command shot down four Iranian attack drones that were posing a threat in the Strait of Hormuz area.
The US military also struck a ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone. The city holds a strategic position in the Strait of Hormuz and is home to Iran’s main naval base.
The details emerged after Trump, during a cabinet meeting, expressed confidence that his administration is making progress toward resolving the war, although negotiations remain uncertain.
Trump is seeking an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow him to present a victory by reducing Iran’s nuclear capability, ending a politically unpopular conflict among Republicans.
The US military struck a ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone
The dispute coincides with the approach of US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress, amid Republican concerns over rising costs and fuel prices. The Republican leader, however, rejected claims that the electoral calendar is influencing strategy.
“They thought they would wait thinking ‘he has the midterms’, but I don’t care about the midterms. They really want to make a deal, but so far they haven’t managed. We are not satisfied, but we will be, otherwise we will have to complete our objective,” he added.
The new strikes followed “defensive” operations against missile launchers and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran on Monday. Washington stressed it has acted with restraint given the fragile ceasefire that has held for weeks.
Among the unresolved issues is the transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has said he would “not be comfortable” if Russia or China received the material.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, close to the 90% level required for weapons use.
Another question is whether the ceasefire will also cover Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The draft memorandum foresees truces between the US and Iran and their allies, but preserves Israel’s right to act in self-defence.
Trump also argued that countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan should join the Abraham Accords, signed during his first term to normalise relations with Israel. The proposal was reportedly met with “stunned silence,” according to Gulf diplomats, although other sources told AP that responses were positive.
