The US struck Irans Qeshm Island on Monday, US officials told the Wall Street Journal. Iranian state media reported several explosions on the island, which sits near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the BBC, officials said the strikes answered Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing on a US aircraft. The attack came on the eve of the midterm elections, in a war that began February 28.
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US Strikes Irans Qeshm Island
The Journal said Mondays attack was the latest in a series of limited strikes in recent weeks. One official said Washington kept the campaign quiet to avoid signaling a return to major combat.
Three US officials described the action to CNN as defensive and meant to protect US assets. Others told the Journal the strikes aim to curb Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. The IRGC, meanwhile, claimed it captured two US drones south of Qeshm.
Qeshm, the largest island in the Persian Gulf, reportedly houses anti-ship missiles, mines and drones in underground tunnels.
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Strike Plans Wait on the Other Side of the Vote
The Journal reported last week that CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump on Iran military options. Trump could still decide against action, the report said.
Earlier, Trump said no when reporters asked whether significant strikes would resume after the vote. He also told Fox News the US could target Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear site south of Natanz.
Talks continue through mediators, led by Qatar. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as very intensive. Tehran says its seven-step plan could take effect within two days.
Vice President JD Vance sounded optimistic.
“The president and I both feel really good about the prospect of potentially coming to a negotiated settlement,” he said.
He added that the Iranians are unpredictable and that Trump keeps both military and non-military options open.
Oil Gives Its Own Answer
Oil prices edged higher after the reports, though the move was small. Brent crude rose 0.67% on the day to $105.48 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.73% to $97.16.
Brent and WTI crude prices after the US strike on Qeshm Island. Source: TradingEconomics
That bounce recovers little of Monday‘s slide of more than 6% on peace headlines. Brent now sits just above Goldman Sachs’ raised forecast of $105.
Tuesday‘s vote also decides which party controls Congress. The World Gold Council has argued a Democratic Congress could restrict war funding, adding another variable for Washington’s next move on Iran.