US launches limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island

The United States launched limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island late on Monday, according to reports in US media. The strikes occurred in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of US midterm elections.

Details of the strikes

Iranian state media reported the sound of several explosions on the island on Monday evening. US officials told CBS that the strikes were "limited" and were conducted in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft.

According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the strikes targeted surface to air missiles being used against US assets. The Wall Street Journal described the attacks as part of a series of strikes carried out against the country in recent weeks that have not been made public. The paper stated that sources suggested these recent strikes have been carried out on a smaller scale and purposefully kept secret by the Trump administration to avoid signaling an intent to resume a full military campaign.

Diplomatic context

The strikes come amid reports of indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told the IRNA that "very intensive" talks to try and end the war are underway via mediators. Araghchi stated that Tehran is prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios "more than ever before."

US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism regarding these efforts, stating, “The president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement,” and added, “We’ve certainly made some progress. We’ll see if we can make some more.”

President Donald Trump told Fox News, “There’s no war raging. It could happen if they don’t make a deal, but they want to make a deal very badly and there’s a very good chance we make a deal.” When asked by a reporter on Monday if the US would resume significant strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, Trump replied "no."

Why it matters

• The strikes occurred during the US midterm elections, where Republican polling has faced pressure due to the war's effect on the US cost of living.
• Qeshm Island is positioned in the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway where Iran has continued to target oil tankers and shipping containers to enforce a closure of the strait.

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Sources

• theguardian.com: US reportedly strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Vance voices optimism about a deal | US-Israel war on Iran | The Guardian
• bbc.co.uk: US launches strikes on Iranian island ahead of election - BBC News

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.