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

The United States has conducted strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials who spoke with CBS and the BBC. Iranian state news agency IRNA reported multiple explosions on the island on Monday. The US officials stated that the strikes were limited and were a response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacking a US aircraft.

The report came ahead of the US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress between the Republican and Democratic parties. President Trump has been experiencing declining poll numbers and pressure from within his party to halt the ongoing war, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February.

During a recent interview with Axios, Trump indicated that he was not in a hurry to escalate the strikes on Iran, stating, "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially. They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it." He also mentioned the possibility of targeting "Pickaxe," a site connected to Iran's nuclear program, in an interview with Fox News before the midterm elections.

However, Trump emphasized that this action would be "not a big deal" and could be executed in "one hour."

Speculation regarding the resumption of significant strikes in Iran has increased in recent days, particularly as the midterm elections approach. However, when asked by a reporter if such strikes were planned, Trump firmly denied this, stating, "No." In response to Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, IRNA reported that "very intensive" negotiations aimed at ending the conflict are currently underway between the US and Iran through mediators.

Araghchi further stated that Iran is now prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios, and it is up to the US to choose between "a wise path of negotiation" or the "mistake of military aggression."