The US carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, a day before the US midterm elections. Washington described them as defensive and limited, while diplomacy with Tehran continues.
The US struck targets on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said on Monday. The strikes appeared to be limited and were not a resumption of major combat operations, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Washington calls the strikes defensive
Another official said the strikes were defensive measures against Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets. Fox News, citing officials, reported that the strikes responded to Iran firing at a US aircraft.
Iranian state media reported five explosions, but Tehran gave no official confirmation of the strike. The Revolutionary Guards claimed they brought down two US reconnaissance drones over Qeshm and a drone in the east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that the strikes broke Trump's vow not to attack Iran before Tuesday's midterms. The Wall Street Journal reported the attack was the latest in a series of US strikes in recent weeks.
Brent flat in Asia as gold rises 1.4%
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Diplomacy and a possible return to war
Trump is weighing a return to full-scale war against Iran after the vote, according to the FT, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing him in that direction. Trump had yet to make a decision, according to people familiar with the matter.
Still, Trump and Vice President JD Vance said earlier on Monday that a diplomatic solution was still possible. Qatari negotiators were in Tehran for talks as mediators pushed for an interim deal. According to the Financial Times, a diplomat briefed on the talks described the discussions as "positive".
The Pentagon referred a request for comment to US Central Command, and CENTCOM did not respond.
Sources: Investing.com, Financial Times
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