On Monday, US forces conducted strikes against missile sites in southern Iran and boats attempting to lay mines, as stated by US Central Command. These actions were described as self-defense measures aimed at protecting US troops from Iranian threats. This military action comes at a critical time as Iranian negotiators are in Doha seeking to end the ongoing war, which has significantly disrupted global energy flows. The strikes threaten a fragile ceasefire established on April 8. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to intensify military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, further escalating regional tensions. Former President Donald Trump has linked the normalization of relations between Israel and Gulf nations to the peace negotiations with Iran, prompting criticism from regional experts who argue that such expectations are unrealistic. Despite some progress reported in the negotiations, Iran's foreign ministry has clarified that a final agreement is not expected soon, indicating ongoing complexities in the diplomatic landscape.