Trump says mediated peace talks with Iran are advancing, while explosions were heard on Qeshm Island and at the port of Jask. A tanker crew member died in a separate attack, and the U.S. announced new measures aimed at Iran.
Explosions were heard on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump said peace negotiations with Iran were making progress. Iranian media also reported blasts at the southern port of Jask, and the cause was unclear.
Trump and Qatar describe talks as advancing
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said Iranian representatives wanted a deal and that mediated talks were advancing. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said mediation remains active, urged both sides not to hold out for a perfect agreement and rejected reports that the talks had failed.
Meanwhile, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said two missiles struck Qeshm Island, with no official information on possible damage. Reuters reported no official confirmation from the Iranian side on the source of the explosions.
Competing claims over Qeshm
Iranian authorities reported no casualties, but the country's military claimed it shot down an American drone over the island. Trump said on Friday that U.S. forces had recently destroyed an Iranian air defense installation. U.S. Central Command described the situation around Qeshm as relatively calm.
The incidents come days after the US carried out strikes on the island. A US official said those strikes were limited and not a resumption of major combat operations. Countries in the region had anticipated that Trump could restart attacks after Tuesday's midterm elections. Iran has repeatedly said it would respond to new attacks by striking at US and Israeli targets in neighboring countries.
Tanker attack and new U.S. measures
The manager of the oil products tanker MT Velos said a crew member died on Thursday after suspected projectiles struck the vessel in the Gulf. A second tanker reported an explosion near its waterline while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and its crew was unharmed.
On Saturday, the U.S. military announced Task Force Iron Gate, a Tampa-based interagency unit meant to choke off the overland and Caspian Sea routes Iran uses to move weapons and illicit revenue. Washington also imposed sanctions on eight Canada-based money services businesses accused of facilitating transactions for sanctioned Iranian entities.
Sources: Economy News, All News
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