US reportedly strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Vance voices optimism about a deal

Limited American strikes hit Iran's Qeshm Island late Monday, according to U. S. media accounts, just before midterm voting began and hours after Vice President JD Vance said talks to end the war were making headway. The Wall Street Journal broke the news; Reuters and the Associated Press said missiles designed to down aircraft, and used against American forces, were the targets. Iranian state media reported hearing several blasts but gave no cause, and U. S. Central Command had not answered Reuters' inquiry. The strikes were described as defensive and not a sign that full combat is resuming, according to The Guardian.

The Journal added that other small-scale strikes have occurred in recent weeks and were deliberately kept quiet by President Donald Trump's administration to avoid suggesting a renewed offensive. If confirmed, this would be the first publicly known U. S. attack on Iran in weeks. Qeshm sits at the entrance to the strait of Hormuz and has previously served as a launch point for attacks on ships. Tehran, meanwhile, keeps the strait effectively shut by going after tankers and other commercial vessels, even though fighting has paused.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →