• US forces shot down four Iranian drones targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Subsequent strikes targeted Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and Goruk.
• Iranian officials criticized the strikes, labeling them as ceasefire violations.
• Negotiations for a longer-term ceasefire are ongoing amidst rising tensions.
• Pakistan is mediating talks between the US and Iran to resolve the conflict.

In a significant escalation of military tensions, US forces launched airstrikes against Iranian coastal radar sites after intercepting Iranian drones deemed a threat to shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command stated that these actions were necessary to defend regional maritime traffic, following the downing of four Iranian drones on Saturday. The targeted sites were located on Qeshm Island and at Goruk, both crucial areas near the Strait, according to SCMP and India Times.

The US military's actions drew sharp criticism from Iranian officials, who accused Washington of violating a ceasefire that had been established earlier this month. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have retaliated by targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, firing ballistic missiles towards these locations, which were intercepted, as reported by Le Monde and India Times.

Despite the heightened military activity, President Donald Trump maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook regarding negotiations with Iran, stating that “the situation with Iran seems to be going quite well.” He acknowledged the complexities of negotiating terms with Iranian leaders while highlighting that they still possess a limited number of missiles and drones. Trump reiterated the urgency of reaching a deal to end what he termed an “unpopular war,” as noted by SCMP, India Times, and Le Monde.

In parallel to these military developments, Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, arrived in Tehran to facilitate mediation between the warring parties, suggesting a diplomatic effort amid escalating tensions. His visit signals a continued attempt to negotiate terms that would allow for a longer-term ceasefire and to address broader regional concerns, as indicated by SCMP and Le Monde.