The United States has carried out fresh limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
The strikes, reportedly conducted on Monday, November 2, were described by US officials as defensive operations intended to protect American military assets from Iranian attacks.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the operation, citing US officials, while other American media outlets, including CNN and ABC News, also confirmed the strikes through unnamed government sources.
According to the reports, the operation targeted Iranian military capabilities after Tehran allegedly fired surface-to-air missiles at US assets, including an American aircraft.
US officials said the strikes were limited in scope and did not represent a resumption of the broader military campaign against Iran. The administration reportedly kept previous operations under wraps to avoid creating the impression that Washington was preparing to launch another major offensive.
Iranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island, with witnesses describing five blasts in quick succession. Residents also reportedly sighted two aircraft over the island.
The reported attack came as diplomatic efforts continued, with US President Donald Trump indicating that an agreement with Iran could still be reached.
Trump said on Monday that Tehran wanted a settlement and expressed optimism about the possibility of ending the conflict.
US Vice President JD Vance also said Washington and Tehran had made progress towards a negotiated settlement, although he warned that the United States retained both military and non-military options.
Iran, however, maintained that it would not surrender to military pressure.
The country’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that any further military aggression would attract an unpredictable response from Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also confirmed that indirect negotiations with Washington were ongoing, describing the consultations as intensive because of the seriousness of the situation.
The latest strikes occurred as the United States prepared for its November 3 midterm elections, which have been dominated partly by public concerns over the economic consequences of the conflict, particularly rising energy prices.
Qeshm Island occupies a strategic position near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes. The waterway previously handled approximately 20 million barrels of oil daily before the conflict disrupted maritime traffic.
The reported strikes have renewed concerns over the security of the passage and the potential impact of further military escalation on global energy supplies.
Despite the latest military action, both Washington and Tehran have continued to signal an openness to negotiations, leaving the possibility of a diplomatic settlement uncertain.