Iran has condemned U.S. air strikes near the Strait of Hormuz as a "gross violation" of the fragile ceasefire that has largely held since April.

The Iranian foreign ministry stated on Monday that it holds the United States responsible for the consequences of its "aggressive and unjustified actions" in the Hormozgan region. The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed it conducted self-defense strikes targeting Iranian missile sites and boats involved in mine-laying activities, citing threats to U.S. troops.

Iranian officials reported hearing explosions near Bandar Abbas, a southern port city located on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy waterway. Centcom indicated the strikes were necessary to protect its forces from Iranian threats, though details on the precise location were not immediately provided. An official cited by the New York Times suggested the strikes targeted an area near Bandar Abbas, home to an Iranian naval base.

These events unfold against the backdrop of ongoing talks aimed at extending the current ceasefire, with the ultimate goal of ending the broader conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that a resolution from these talks remains possible, though he cautioned it might take several days.

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran began on February 28 with a series of attacks, including one that resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader. A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon on April 8, with only a few notable breaches reported since then.

Iran's statement emphasized its resolve to defend the nation, asserting, "Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation." The U.S. strikes were described as a "gross violation" of the established truce.

Adding to the tensions, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have downed a U.S. drone and fired upon a fighter jet that allegedly entered Iranian airspace, though the timing of these incidents was not specified.

The potential impact of these strikes on the ongoing ceasefire extension talks remains uncertain. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has expressed a desire for a deal but also a cautious approach, with Trump recently instructing negotiators not to rush an agreement, according to U.S. media reports.