US Conducts Limited Defensive Strikes on Iranian Island of Qeshm

The United States carried out limited defensive strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to American media reports. The operations coincided with the US midterm election day and were not publicly announced to avoid the impression that Washington intended to resume large-scale combat operations.

US officials, speaking anonymously to The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox, The New York Times, AP, and Reuters, said the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US forces in the strait. An Air Force aircraft struck a missile launcher system belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Qeshm island after a shot was fired at a US aircraft.

“The ball is now in the US court to avoid war.”

Iranian state media reported five consecutive explosions on Qeshm island, with some residents seeing two aircraft flying overhead. State media also reported explosions on Hengam island and in the Bandar Abbas area on the mainland, while the Fars agency mentioned loud bangs in Bandar Lengeh. No report mentioned casualties.

A witness video shared by Reuters showed intense flashes of light followed by strong explosions behind buildings on Qeshm. The agency confirmed the location using buildings, facades, window shapes, and walls matching archive and satellite images.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down two US reconnaissance drones south of Qeshm and destroyed an MQ-9. The United States has not confirmed this information.

The strikes took place alongside indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which continue through Qatari mediation. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said both sides remained committed to the negotiation process and that Doha was working to conclude an interim agreement. Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagheri stated that the ball was now in the US court to avoid war.