The U.S. has carried out what it called “self-defense” airstrikes against Iran, threatening a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The strikes targeted missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil passageway in the Middle East that Iran has effectively closed amid the war, according to the U.S. Central Command.

“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins told the media Monday evening.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” the captain added.

Two Iranian boats were caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a senior US official told Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin.

“The US military eliminated both IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] vessels and also struck at a SAM (surface to air missile) site in Bandar Abbas that was targeting US warplanes,” Griffin wrote in an X post.

Bandar Abbas is a city located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz and is home to a key Iranian naval base.

Iranian state media also reported explosions in other cities, according to CNN’s Brianna Keilar.

While two of Griffin’s sources said the strikes do not indicate the ceasefire is broken, it’s the latest example of the fraught relationship between the U.S. and Iran amid the nearly three-month war.

The Independent has reached out to the White House and the Defense Department for comment.

Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier Monday that negotiations to end the Iran war were “proceeding nicely.”

He warned that a peace agreement must “only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!”

Trump said he spoke to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain and said that “after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.”

The Abraham Accords were a series of agreements brokered by the U.S. in Trump’s first term to normalize relations with Israel. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the first countries to join the accords.

When the U.S. and Israel began to launch strikes against Iran at the end of February, Trump had claimed Tehran posed an imminent threat to Americans with its nuclear ambitions.

On Monday, Trump vowed in a separate Truth Social post that any buried enriched uranium in Iran, which he calls nuclear dust, “will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed,” eradicated in Iran or “at another acceptable location”.

The RNLI came to the aid of the person who had fallen on the rocks on Monday afternoon

One person was rescued by emergency services on Bank Holiday Monday after falling on rocks.

Larne RNLI came to the aid of the person who had fallen on the rocks on Monday afternoon, May 25.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Terry at 2.03pm at the request of HM Coastguard following a report that someone had fallen on the rocks at Drains Bay near Larne, Co Antrim.

READ MORE: In pictures: Families enjoy Bank Holiday Monday fun in the sun in Co DownREAD MORE: Rescue operation after adult and child jetskiers get into difficulty off Co Down coast

Helm Willie Evans and crew members Jack Healy, Jordan McIlhinneyand Scott Leitch made their way to the casualties last reported location.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a southerly breeze and smooth seas.

On arrival the casualty was located on the rocks close to Drains Bay beach. In a joint operation with HM Coastguard Larne, several crew members went ashore to assist with casualty care.

Following an initial assessment by a member of HM Coastguard (an off-duty paramedic) the suspicion was that the casualty had broken their leg.

The casualty was then placed on a stretcher and taken aboard the lifeboat. They were then taken to a more accessible part of the shore where they were left in the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Speaking following the call out, Larne RNLI Helm, Willie Evans said: “We would like to wish the casualty well.

“We would also like to commend the member of the public for raising the alarm, that is always the right thing to do’. Should you see someone in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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WITH the internationally renowned Hay Festival happening about now, it’s timely that there are major developments taking place on the literary front in York.

The Press has kept readers up to date with the progress of Topping & Co and Lucius Books, exciting and significant enhancements to the book scene in York.

York has long been strong on bookshops, not just over the decades but over the centuries. Some readers may remember the characterful Pickering & Co, Booksellers, picturesquely situated at the junction of Shambles and Little Shambles, which had its origins in Victorian times.

To jog or rekindle bookworms’ memories, a presentation on Pickering & Co, Booksellers of the Shambles (and Goodramgate) is planned for Friday June 5 at 10.30am. The venue is Dringhouses Church Community Hall (St Edward the Confessor) on Tadcaster Road.

The event is run under the auspices of Dringhouses Memories, a group which meets from time to time in the church hall for an informal look at local history. At their meeting on Friday, June 5 they will be recalling some experiences from three decades of Pickerings bookshop in Shambles.

Many York people had part time jobs in the bookshop and former staff who might be interested would be very welcome. It’s informal and there’s no charge. The church has a small car park and several local buses stop close by.

Dorothy Reed,

Dorothy Reed (former Director of Pickering & Co),

Middlethorpe Drive,

York

—

Put effort elsewhere

IT is not often I agree with Christian Vassie but he and Nigel Cummings are correct in stating history cannot be changed and altering plaques isn’t something that should be undertaken.

The energy and effort put into futile efforts to erase links with the former Duke of York would be better spent addressing other issues in this city.

Matthew Laverack,

Lord Mayors Walk,

York

“At Children First, we are committing to do everything we can to protect children from online harm by campaigning for a public health approach that includes stronger regulation, delayed access to devices, better advice and support for parents and caregivers and investment in play, creativity and sport so children have real alternatives to being online.

Earlier on Monday, thousands of City fans lined the streets of Manchester to bid a final farewell to the departing Guardiola.

This season’s successful men’s, women’s and academy teams were driven on buses to Etihad Stadium, where they were greeted by a waiting crowd, before the entourage made its way to Co-Op Live for the ‘after party’.

All three teams celebrated their trophy victories on stage, with City women’s striker Khadija Shaw making the shock announcement that she has signed a new four-year contract to remain at the club.

Guardiola’s three children, as well as former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain and goalkeeper Ederson – who left last summer – helped bring out all 20 trophies won under Guardiola.

Surprise appearances by current Bayern Munich boss Kompany and midfielder Jack Grealish, who spent a season-long loan spell at Everton, were loudly cheered by those in attendance.

Guardiola said goodbye for the final time in an interview with Oasis star Noel Gallagher.

“First of all, thank you so much for coming tonight to say bye,” said Guardiola.

“I feel tonight that really shows the connection this club has. [City chairman] Khaldoon Al Mubarak and all the people and all the City fans that were connected from the first minute.

“Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart.”

Tributes were also paid to captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones, who will also be leaving the club this summer upon the expiry of their contracts.

Striker Erling Haaland said on stage: “It has been a pleasure to play with Bernardo and John – and of course Pep.

“We won a lot of trophies and I was happy to play with Bernardo and John because they are amazing footballers but even better people deep down.

“It has been an amazing journey, but we need to keep pushing and fighting even without them.”

Conde Nast Traveller shared the list, saying: “From traditional fishing villages to faded Victorian resorts to RSPB reserves, deserted coves and teetering cliffs, the charm of the coastal north can be found in the allure of the bracing walks, excellent seafood and prices that make Brighton seem positively larcenous in comparison.

“From Northumberland to Cumbria, these are the seaside towns and villages worth knowing now.”

Morecambe has been highlighted as one of the best seaside towns in the north of England by CN Traveller.

It’s around an hour and 10 minutes away from Bolton by car.

Morecambe offers the perfect coastal escape

The travel publisher shared: “Morecambe has staged one of the north’s quietest comebacks.

“Its sweeping bay, all shifting sands and improbable light with views of the Lakeland fells beyond, is the real draw, particularly at sunset when the sky seems to double in scale.

“The long promenade is made for ambling, punctuated by Eric Morecambe’s statue and a growing number of independent cafés like The Bow Window, which serves up fantastic pan-fried kippers with butter during the daytime.

“There’s a gentle, slightly nostalgic feel to the place, but it’s no longer stuck in the past.

5 perfect spots for a summer staycation

“One of the most pleasing strolls in any northern seaside town is along Morecambe’s Stone Jetty.

“Formerly a railway and shipping terminal, it’s now a walking route speckled with sculptures of gannets, razorbills, cormorants and even a Mythical Auk; rendered from marble and looking suitably haughty on its own stone plinth.”

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Things to do and places to visit in Morecambe

Visit Lancashire has shared some recommendations for things to do while you’re in Morecambe:

• Go to the beach – fly kites, build sandcastles, and have a picnic
• Walk along the Promenade with an ice cream
• Visit the Eric Morecambe statue
• Check out The Tern Project
• Visit the Midland Hotel for a bite to eat and to see the art in the foyer
• Children can enjoy playing at Happy Mount Park
• Enjoy a show at The Platform theatre
• Shop along the Promenade or at Central Drive Retail Park

Other places in the list include Seahouses in Northumberland, St Bees in Cumbria, and Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Teesside.

What’s your favourite thing about Morecambe? Let us know in the comments below.