War or peace? US strikes Iran, brushing aside ongoing peace talks

Tehran: Tensions in West Asia escalated dramatically after the United States launched military strikes in southern Iran, even as fragile peace negotiations were underway in Qatar. The attack, carried out by the US military, targeted Iranian missile launch facilities and boats allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines, according to US Central Command. The operation has triggered fears that the already delicate diplomatic process could collapse under the weight of renewed military confrontation.

US Central Command claimed the strikes were an act of self-defence, arguing that American troops had faced direct threats from Iranian forces in the region. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed that missile sites inside Iran and Iranian vessels involved in mine-laying operations were hit during the assault. However, Washington has released only limited details about the scale of the operation, fuelling uncertainty over the extent of the damage and the possibility of further escalation.

The strikes came at a highly sensitive moment, with senior Iranian officials arriving in Doha for crucial discussions aimed at salvaging a peace agreement. The delegation included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who were expected to address major obstacles blocking the negotiations.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had claimed that the talks were progressing positively. At the same time, he warned through a Truth Social post that he would accept nothing short of a satisfactory agreement and was prepared to return to war if necessary. The contradictory mix of diplomacy and military aggression has intensified fears of a wider regional conflict.