Washington: The United States carried out limited military strikes against targets on Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, November 2, a day before the US midterm elections. US officials described the operation as defensive, saying it was intended to protect American military assets from Iranian threats and did not mark a return to major combat operations.
The strikes came amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remained under way. The military action also attracted attention because of President Donald Trump's earlier comments about avoiding an attack on Iran before the midterm elections.
According to US officials, American forces targeted Iranian military positions associated with surface to air missile systems that were considered a threat to US assets. One US official said the operation followed an incident in which Iran fired at an American aircraft. However, details about the aircraft, the location of the incident and whether it suffered any damage have not been independently established.
Iranian state media reported five explosions on Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. Further explosions were also reported near Bandar Lengeh, a coastal city in Hormozgan province. However, the cause of all the reported explosions and the extent of any damage were not immediately clear.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed that Iranian forces had shot down American reconnaissance drones near the Strait of Hormuz. However, the claims had not been independently verified, and US officials disputed Iranian reports about American drones being brought down.
Reports also indicated that Monday's operation was not an isolated incident. American forces had reportedly carried out similar limited strikes in recent weeks, although the operations had not been publicly announced at the time.
The timing of the latest strikes attracted particular attention as the United States prepared for its November 3 midterm elections. Trump had earlier spoken about avoiding military action against Iran before the elections, while also indicating that discussions between Washington and Tehran were progressing.
On Monday, Trump was asked whether he was considering attacking Iran after the midterm elections. He answered, "No," while expressing confidence that an agreement with Tehran could be reached. His comments came during his final major public appearance before Election Day.
Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran. He said the administration wanted a firm and verifiable commitment that Iran would not rebuild its nuclear weapons programme.
Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between the two countries continued through regional mediators. Iranian negotiators had held three consecutive days of discussions with Qatari mediators in Doha, but the talks ended without a major breakthrough. Qatar has continued to play an important role in facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said communications with the United States through mediators were continuing. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also said that Tehran had revised and shortened its proposal for ending the conflict. However, differences between the two countries remained, particularly over Iran's nuclear programme and the conditions for further negotiations.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Tehran subsequently retaliated against Israel and American interests in the region, leading to a wider confrontation that has affected regional security and international trade.
Qeshm Island is strategically important because of its location near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. A significant share of the world's oil and gas shipments passes through this route. Any further military escalation in the area could affect international shipping, energy supplies and global oil prices.
The latest strikes have added to tensions between Washington and Tehran at a time when diplomatic efforts remain unresolved. Although the Trump administration has continued to express interest in reaching an agreement, the military developments highlight the continuing uncertainty surrounding the conflict and the security of the wider Gulf region.