The United States has carried out limited military strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials, as President Donald Trump faces mounting domestic pressure to end the conflict ahead of the country’s midterm elections.
The strikes reportedly followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a US aircraft, which officials described as the trigger for the American military operation.
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, also reported several explosions on Qeshm Island on Monday. The US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, had been contacted for comment.
The latest action comes as Trump faces declining approval ratings and growing calls within his Republican Party to bring the war to an end.
The conflict began in February after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering a prolonged confrontation with consequences for regional security and global energy markets.
Trump rules out immediate escalation
Despite the latest strikes, Trump has played down the possibility of an immediate expansion of US military operations.
Speaking to Axios on Monday, the President said he was in “no rush” to intensify the campaign, claiming that American operations had already inflicted significant economic damage on Iran.
“One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially,” Trump said.
He also claimed that Iran had run out of money and gasoline and that its population was growing tired of the conflict.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said the United States might still target Pickaxe, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
He described a possible operation against the facility as “not a big deal”, suggesting it could be completed within an hour.
Trump also denied suggestions that his administration was deliberately delaying further military action until after the midterm elections.
Midterm elections add pressure to Iran conflict
The military developments come as Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Democrats take over.
The conflict has become a domestic political issue for Trump, with voters and members of his party scrutinising its duration, economic consequences and military costs.
A change in control of either chamber of Congress could also complicate the President’s efforts to maintain support for his military and foreign policy agenda.
Iran says diplomatic talks are ongoing
Meanwhile, Iran has indicated that diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain active despite the latest military exchanges.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told IRNA that “very intensive” discussions with the United States were ongoing through intermediaries.
He said Tehran was prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios, placing responsibility on Washington to choose between negotiations and further military action.
Araghchi described diplomacy as the “wise path” and warned against what he called the mistake of military aggression.
The latest developments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the conflict, with limited military exchanges continuing alongside indirect negotiations.
Although Washington has indicated that it is not in a hurry to expand its campaign, the strikes on Qeshm Island underscore the continuing risk of further confrontation as both countries explore possible ways to end the war.
