US carries out ’defensive’ strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, officials say

On November 2, 2020, the United States carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Wall Street Journal. The Pentagon referred a request for comment to US Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, but did not respond directly to inquiries.

Earlier in the day, Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported several explosions on Qeshm Island. Fox News cited officials who said the attack was defensive and in response to Iran firing at a US aircraft. This latest strike comes after a series of similar operations conducted by Washington in recent weeks. President Donald Trump, prior to delivering a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, had hinted at resuming attacks on Iran following the US midterm elections on Tuesday, but later suggested he might reconsider his stance.