US military strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island day before midterms

The U.S. military struck radar detectors and missile launchers on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets citing American officials. The Hill reported that the strike occurred a day before U.S. midterm elections. Arutz Sheva - Israel National News stated that a U.S. military fighter jet destroyed a surface-to-air missile launcher during the operation.

The attacks were described by various sources as defensive in nature. The New Straits Times noted that officials described the assaults as measures to prevent Iran from attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal reported that the strikes were part of a series of limited, purposefully secret attacks carried out by Washington in recent weeks to avoid signaling an intent to resume a major military campaign.

Following the reports of the strikes, oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday due to concerns regarding conflict escalation and Middle East energy supply disruptions. Brent crude futures rose 0.5 per cent to $105.25 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased 0.5 per cent to $96.93 a barrel, according to Live Mint and The National UAE.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hill, New Straits Times, The National UAE, Live Mint, Arutz Sheva - Israel National News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.