The US military conducted strikes in southern Iran on May 25, according to corroborated reports from Indian and Western news outlets. The strikes occurred during a ceasefire that had been in place for more than a month, according to France24. The US military stated the strikes were intended to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, as reported by The Hindu. The US military limited its actions despite conducting strikes during a ceasefire, according to The Hindu.

Accounts differ on whether the ceasefire remains in effect. One view holds that the ceasefire is no longer in effect. Another view rejects the term 'self-defensive military strike' as a euphemism for attack and asserts that any deal is prevented if Iran's conditions are followed, according to a Bluesky post. Iran's conditions for a deal would prevent its conclusion, according to France24, which also reported that the US is seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran considers its sovereignty over the strait essential to any agreement. France24 reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated a deal could be reached within days.