US strikes Iranian island hours before midterms
Pentagon officials describe the attacks as defensive measures against ongoing threats to shipping and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz.
By Martin Reynolds ·
The United States military executed limited strikes against targets on Qeshm Island in Iran early Tuesday. The operations occurred just hours before polls opened for the US midterm elections. Two US officials told NBC News that the strikes were a defensive response to Tehran continuing to target maritime shipping and American assets.
The officials emphasized that this action does not mark a resumption of major combat operations. One official stated that US forces are intercepting drones and missiles aimed at shipping on a daily basis. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has also routinely targeted and shot at US manned and unmanned aircraft over the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.
A third official described the specific trigger for the attack on Qeshm Island. Iran attempted to target a US aircraft, prompting the US to strike a surface-to-air missile launcher. The official characterized the move as a defensive measure for Iranians using such missiles against US assets.
Qeshm Island sits at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. The island covers approximately 1,445 square kilometers and has been a target of previous US attacks during the conflict. Iranian state media reported several explosions on the island earlier on Monday.
President Donald Trump had hinted at renewing attacks on Iran in the weeks following the midterm elections. However, after a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, he indicated he might be thinking otherwise. In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that a deal between Washington and Tehran could soon be reached.
Trump wrote that oil prices are dropping almost $10 a barrel because people feel there will not be a war with Iran. He added that Iran wants a settlement as soon as possible. Vice President JD Vance told reporters earlier this week that he and the president feel pretty good about the prospects for a negotiated settlement.
The military campaign against Iran has been a key talking point for voters. The conflict has impacted the US economy by driving up oil prices. The strikes on Qeshm Island represent the latest military action in the ongoing dispute between the two nations.
Source: Sky News
