“They had built a small air defense installation, and we took it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five minutes,” President Donald Trump said when he met journalists late Friday local time in Florida, describing what he called limited US attacks on Iran, Dagbladet reported.
The strikes hit Qeshm, an island at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz that houses a naval base and an underground missile center. The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that two missiles struck the island, adding that there were no official reports of possible destruction. The state news agency Irna reported earlier that local witnesses had seen two projectiles hit the Suza area of Qeshm, which is considered strategically important.
Missiles Strike Qeshm at the Mouth of the Strait of Hormuz
Neither US defense officials nor Iranian authorities had officially confirmed Monday’s attack, Sol reported, but sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal said it was an American strike that hit the island. According to a source speaking to AP, the attack was preventive. US officials are keeping the attacks deliberately secret so as not to give the impression that larger hostilities are resuming, an American official told The Wall Street Journal.
The attack is the latest in a series of limited operations the US has carried out against Iran in recent weeks, Sol reported. Iranian state television reported explosions on Qeshm and in nearby coastal areas, according to The Independent, as cited by E24.
Trump Claims Victory While New Strikes Continue
Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Monday, November 2, Trump downplayed the tension: “We had a war with Iran. We won it,” he said, adding that he did not know whether it could even be called a war, because “we haven’t fought any battles in months.” He also denied planning new attacks after Tuesday’s US midterm elections.
Iran Says It Downed a US Drone and Is Stronger Than at War’s Start
According to Iranian state media, the country’s army shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Qeshm, Dagbladet reported. The Revolutionary Guard says it downed an MQ-9 in the airspace over the Strait of Hormuz, according to E24.
Washington Offers $20 Million for Tips on Iran’s Nuclear Program
The offer comes despite Trump repeatedly claiming that the nuclear program has been destroyed. A satellite image from January 28 of this year shows a pilot facility for uranium enrichment at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site.
Oil Price Climbs as Markets Weigh Renewed Conflict Risk
Qeshm and the Strait of Hormuz are central to global oil transport, so new unrest can make oil more expensive and raise the risk that the conflict escalates again. Meanwhile, diplomatic meetings continue at the regional level in the Middle East: Iran’s foreign minister was in talks with Saudi Arabia on Monday, aiming to “prevent military escalation from returning,” according to Reuters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Qeshm, and why does it matter?
Qeshm is an Iranian island at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of the world’s oil shipments pass. According to Dagbladet and Sol, the island houses a naval base and an underground missile center.
What is the $20 million US bounty for?
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering $20 million for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including facilities, equipment and people in the research environment, Centcom announced Friday, Dagbladet reported.
Has the US confirmed the strikes on Qeshm?
No. According to Sol, neither US defense officials nor Iranian authorities have officially confirmed the attack; the reports of a US strike come from American sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal and AP.
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