Several explosions were heard on Iran’s Qeshm Island late on Monday, according to the state-owned IRNA news agency, while media in the United States reported that the US military had carried out what officials called “defensive strikes” in the Strait of Hormuz.
The blasts came in rapid succession. Witnesses told IRNA they saw two planes flying over the island, which lies off Iran’s southern coast near the strait. The semi-official Fars news agency said explosions were also heard in the port city of Bandar Lengeh, apparently coming from the sea.
Witnesses and Iranian agencies describe the blasts
Iranian outlets have so far provided the main accounts of the sounds from the island and the port city. Neither agency gave details of casualties or damage in the reports cited.
Also read: Iranian envoys meet Qatari mediators ahead of possible US strikes
US officials say strikes targeted shipping threats
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that American forces carried out the strikes. Some officials told the newspaper the action was meant to limit Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. One official said Washington had deliberately kept the campaign low-profile to avoid signalling a return to major combat.
The Associated Press also quoted a US official saying the United States had conducted defensive strikes against Iranian targets in the strait. According to that official, the targets included “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.”
Reporters for Fox News and Axios said the attacks were a response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing at a US aircraft in the strait on Monday. Citing a US official, Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said the incident did not mark “the start of expanded strikes by the US.” There was no immediate comment from authorities in Iran or the United States.
IRGC drone claims surface ahead of US midterms
Earlier on Monday, the IRGC claimed it had captured two US reconnaissance drones south of Qeshm using electronic warfare systems. It also said it had destroyed an MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz. These claims have not been independently verified in the reports.
The alleged US attacks came on the eve of crucial midterm elections, in which President Donald Trump’s Republican Party is seeking to keep control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. They also coincided with intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed US attacks on Iran.
Trump and Tehran signal hopes for a settlement
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump suggested a deal with Iran could come soon. He wrote that oil prices were falling sharply, down almost $10 a barrel, a record, because people believed there would not be a war with Iran. “Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” he wrote.
Asked by reporters whether he was considering strikes on Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump replied “no.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran’s demands for peace had been clearly communicated to Washington, adding that “the ball is in the US court.” He said Iran’s proposed plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz had been condensed and could be implemented within two days if Washington met Tehran’s conditions. Those conditions include the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports and securing an end to hostilities, which would pave the way for reopening the strait and renewed negotiations.
