U.S. military conducts ‘self-defense’ strikes against Iranian facilities.

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While the immediate trigger for tonight’s “self-defense” strikes was the confirmed deployment of naval mines, intelligence sources suggest the escalation was driven by a broader set of provocations that pushed the Pentagon to act…
Pentagon insiders indicate the decision to strike wasn’t just about the mines, but a cumulative response to “aggressive posturing” by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the last 48 hours…
This includes the reported deployment of mobile coastal defense cruise missiles (CDCMs) near the Strait of Hormuz, which defense officials labeled an “unacceptable threat” to U.S. freedom-of-navigation patrols…
There is also mounting concern over intelligence reports suggesting Iran was preparing for a synchronized “swarm attack” against regional coalition vessels, a tactic the U.S. has been monitoring closely since the ceasefire began to fray…
The mining activity was simply the final, undeniable provocation that forced the White House to abandon the “restraint” policy they had been maintaining during the Doha talks…
The strikes are also viewed as a direct message to Tehran that the blockade will not be undermined by “gray zone” tactics—actions meant to harass without triggering an all-out war…

US targets Iranian missile launch sites and boats in ‘self-defense’ strikes

• Strikes reported: The US military conducted “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats around the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to US Central Command, amid a ceasefire and ongoing negotiations to end the war.

• What we know: Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US and Iran are working toward a “memorandum of understanding.” But disputes over language concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions have held up finalization of a deal to end the war, according to US officials.

• Israel’s posture: Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to expand its operations in Lebanon in the near future, an Israeli source said, adding that the moves are being “coordinated” with the US.