US strikes Qeshm Island
The US launched limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island late Monday, according to reports in US media. These strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles used against US assets, Reuters and the Associated Press report. Iranian state media reported the sound of explosions on the island in the strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, though local outlets described the cause as unclear. The Wall Street Journal described the attacks as part of a series of strikes carried out against the country in recent weeks that the Trump administration kept secret to avoid signaling any intent to resume the military campaign against Iran. Reports described the strikes as "defensive" and suggested they did not signal a return to full hostilities. US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Reuters news agency regarding the island strikes. Because Qeshm Island sits in the mouth of the strait of Hormuz, it has been used in the past to launch attacks on shipping in the waterway. Although attacks had ceased in recent weeks, Iran continues to enforce its closure of the strait by targeting oil tankers, shipping containers and other vessels attempting to transit the waterway. If confirmed, the Monday attack would mark the first publicly known strike by the US on Iran in weeks.
Diplomatic efforts and midterms
JD Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the war on Monday after Tehran revealed indirect negotiations with Washington. "The president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement," Vance told reporters. These comments arrived hours after the strikes on the island. Trump told Fox News that "there’s no war raging" and claimed there is a "very good chance we make a deal." He also noted a sharp drop in oil prices while telling voters he had not considered resuming strikes on Iran after the Tuesday midterm elections. These midterm elections occur as the Republican party faces potential punishment from voters for the cost of living increases caused by the war. The Trump administration also touted renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and addressed rising petrol prices. When asked earlier on Monday whether he had considered resuming strikes on Iran after the Tuesday midterm elections, Trump replied "no".
