WASHINGTON DC.: The US military has conducted new defensive strikes on an Iranian military site in the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, downing four drones around the Strait of Hormuz and targeting a ground control station before a fifth could launch.

The strikes occur during a fragile ceasefire and ongoing negotiations to end a three-month war that has disrupted global energy prices and traffic in the Strait.

While US Central Command labeled the action as measured and defensive, Iran condemned it as a grave ceasefire violation and vowed to retaliate.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that Iran is “negotiating on fumes,” emphasizing that his war strategy remains unaffected by the upcoming November midterm elections and threatening a large-scale bombing campaign if a deal is not reached on his terms.