US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island in latest limited attacks, report says

The United States carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN. Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that five explosions occurred in rapid succession on the island, with some residents observing two aircraft in the sky. The Wall Street Journal described the attack as the latest in a series of limited, secret strikes Washington has conducted against Iran in recent weeks.

The strikes were characterized as defensive measures. Investing.com reported that one official described the strikes as defensive actions against Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets, while Fox News cited officials stating the strikes were a response to Iran firing at a US aircraft. CNN also reported the action was defensive and intended to protect US assets in the region.

Free Malaysia Today noted that some officials described the assaults as being intended to prevent Iran from attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The reported attacks occurred as President Donald Trump signaled progress in negotiations to end the eight-month-old conflict with Tehran. While the President had previously hinted at renewing attacks following the US midterm elections, Investing.com reported that he indicated he might be thinking otherwise following a speech on Monday. The Pentagon referred requests for comment to US Central Command, which did not immediately respond.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Vibes, Investing.com, France 24, Free Malaysia Today, Gulf News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.