U.S. Strikes Iranian Military Targets Amid Diplomatic Push in Doha

In a dual-track approach of military pressure and diplomacy, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched "defensive" strikes against Iranian missile launch sites and naval vessels accused of attempting to deploy mines in the Persian Gulf. The operation took place as Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha, Qatar, for critical talks aimed at ending the current hostilities between Washington and Tehran. Despite the military escalation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism, stating that a deal could still be reached "within days." Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio emphasized that President Trump is seeking a "good agreement" and that negotiators are currently refining the language of an initial framework. The proposed deal reportedly includes provisions related to Iran's nuclear activities, though no new enrichment milestones were reported in the last 24 hours. The situation remains volatile as the U.S.-Iran conflict stays entangled with broader regional warfare, including heavy Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. While Tehran continues to issue threats of retaliation against American regional assets to deter further strikes, both sides appear committed to keeping the Doha channel open for a potential breakthrough. Market analysts warn that the fragility of the current de-escalation efforts keeps regional stability on a knife-edge.