US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as Trump signals progress in talks
The United States reportedly struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials. Qeshm is the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state news agency IRNA said five explosions were heard in rapid succession on the island and that some residents reported seeing two aircraft. The Pentagon referred questions to US Central Command, which did not immediately comment to AFP late Monday.
Officials described the attack as the latest in a series of limited, unannounced US strikes against Iran in recent weeks. Some called them defensive, aimed at denying Iran the freedom to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil corridor largely blocked since war began in late February. Washington has not publicized the campaign so as not to signal a return to major combat.
The reported strike came as President Donald Trump, on the eve of US midterm elections, said a deal with Tehran “could happen” and signaled progress in talks to end the eight-month-old conflict. Oil prices, which had surged on Iran’s blockade of the strait, fell more than seven percent on Monday on hopes the fighting could end.
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