U.S. Military Carries Out Limited Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in Defensive Action, Officials Say

The United States military carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, three United States officials told CNN. The officials described the action as defensive in nature and said it was meant to protect United States assets in the region.

One official said the attack came in response to Iran firing at a United States aircraft. Another official said, “This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface to air missiles against US assets.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported the operation, according to CNN. The Journal reported that other such strikes have been carried out previously in secret, and that the latest attack was part of a series of limited strikes carried out by Washington in recent weeks. The Journal said the strikes were kept secret so as not to signal an intent to resume a major military campaign against Iran.

Iran’s state media outlet IRNA reported several explosions on the island, which sits on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters. The United States Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.

Trump and Vance point to talks

President Donald Trump said on Monday that diplomacy with Tehran is still at work and that an agreement “could happen.” In an appearance that aired on Fox News on Monday night, Trump did not specifically address the reports of new strikes, according to CNN, but he defended his decision to launch the war in Iran and said, “We’re not fighting a war.”

Trump added, “It could happen if they don’t make a deal, but they want to make a deal very badly and there’s a very good chance we make a deal.” Asked by reporters if he was considering striking Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump replied “no,” according to Reuters.

Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Monday that the United States and Iran have “made some progress” toward an off ramp to the war. Vance said the president “retains kinetic options, he retains non-kinetic options.”

Why the island draws attention

Qeshm Island sits about 14 miles from the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, according to CNN. CNN reported that the island is central to Iran’s control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 million barrels of oil passed every day before the war. The United States has targeted the island previously in the war, CNN reported.

Washington and Tehran have been at war since February 28, according to Reuters.

Reporting based on coverage by CNN, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal.