The United States has conducted military strikes against targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal that cites US officials. Residents in southern Iran reported hearing explosions early Tuesday in the coastal city of Bandar Lengeh and on Qeshm Island, as confirmed by various Iranian news agencies.
US officials characterized the ongoing operations as defensive measures. One official stated, “This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets.” According to the report, these smaller-scale strikes have been taking place for several weeks with the stated intention of preventing Iran from developing the capability to threaten or attack commercial shipping vessels within the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
These developments unfold as US President Donald Trump attempts to minimize the likelihood of a major military confrontation with Iran following the recent midterm elections. Earlier on Monday, when asked by reporters if he was considering further strikes against Iran post-election, Trump responded, “No,” and suggested that diplomatic efforts were moving forward successfully. He also linked current expectations of a potential agreement to the recent, sharp decline in energy prices.
Trump further addressed the broader regional situation, stating, “We had a war with Iran. We won,” while noting that significant fighting had not occurred for months. Regarding nuclear non-proliferation, the president insisted that Tehran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, asserting that Iranian officials understood this position. He credited previous US actions, specifically the use of B-2 bombers, with preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, adding that the country could not function effectively otherwise.
