US Hits Iran's Qeshm Island Ahead of Midterms
President Trump signaled that a deal with Tehran is possible as oil prices dropped over seven percent following the strike.
By Julian Reed ·
The United States launched a strike against Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The attack occurred on the eve of the US midterm elections, a day when President Donald Trump indicated that a negotiated end to the eight-month conflict with Tehran was within reach.
Qeshm is the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz. The Journal, citing unnamed US officials, identified the blow as the most recent in a series of limited operations that Washington has conducted in secrecy over the past several weeks. The administration has not publicly acknowledged these earlier attacks to avoid signaling a return to major combat operations.
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that residents heard five explosions in quick succession. Some locals said they saw two aircraft flying over the island during the incident. The Pentagon directed inquiries about the strike to US Central Command. That military branch did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AFP news agency late Monday.
US officials described the recent assaults as defensive measures. The stated goal was to stop Iran from having the freedom to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. That waterway serves as a critical route for oil shipments. Traffic through the corridor has been largely blocked since the war began in late February.
Trump stated that a deal with Tehran could happen amid intensive talks. His comments came as market traders reacted to the prospect of a resolution. Oil prices fell by more than seven percent on Monday. The drop followed the reported strike and the president's optimistic remarks about negotiations.
The conflict has continued for eight months. The blockade of the energy corridor has sent oil prices soaring. The US government has maintained a strategy of limited, undisclosed strikes to pressure Iran while keeping diplomatic channels open. The latest attack underscores this dual approach as election day arrives in the United States.
Source: France 24
