US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Trump downplays war

The United States struck Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, November 2, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The officials said it was the latest in a series of targeted strikes Washington has carried out without announcement in recent weeks. The attack came on the same day President Donald Trump played down the chance of renewed fighting, and on the eve of Tuesday's midterm elections.wsj.com

Some US officials described the strikes as defensive, meant to stop Iran from freely attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran International reported, citing the Journal. A US official told the Associated Press that the targets included "Iranians using surface to air missiles against U.S. assets," and said the strikes appeared limited rather than a full return to hostilities.apnews.com+1

Explosions near the strait

Iran's official IRNA news agency reported five explosions on Qeshm Island and more blasts in Bandar Lengeh, and said residents saw two aircraft over the island, according to an ANI report carried by News18. There was no immediate official word on casualties. Before the reports, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had shot down three US drones near the strait.news18.com

Qeshm sits at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Journal, it holds a large underground missile site, a naval base and a major desalination plant, Iran International reported. One official said Washington had kept the campaign quiet on purpose to avoid signaling a return to major combat.iranintl.com

Diplomacy and denials

"I don't know if you even call it a war, because we haven't been doing any fighting for months," Trump said on Monday, according to the AP. Asked whether he was considering striking Iran after the midterms, he said "no," though administration officials told the Journal he was still weighing his options, Iran International reported. Vice President JD Vance said he and Trump "feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement."apnews.com+1

Qatari mediators are working on a framework under which Iran would stop its attacks in the strait in exchange for the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, regional officials told the AP. The same officials said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a new wave of strikes after the US vote. The AP said October saw the most attacks on commercial ships in the strait since March.apnews.com

Oil reverses course

Oil rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday after the report, CNBC reported, citing Reuters. The gain followed a drop of more than 7% in Brent on Monday as hopes for diplomacy grew. "Just when markets were starting to price in a more diplomatic path, this reminder of ongoing military activity has flipped the tone," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.cnbc.com