WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island. The official, who wasn’t authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets” had been targeted.
The strikes, which appeared to be limited as opposed to a full return to hostilities, came on the eve of crucial American midterm elections. Trump has previously said the U.S. wouldn’t launch strikes on Iran before the midterms.
The unpopular Iran war and the resulting impact on U.S. gasoline prices and other parts of the economy have been a vulnerability for Republicans as they try to keep control of Congress.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters earlier Monday that he just spoke to Trump about talks with Iran and said “the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement.”
The Pentagon referred a request for comment to the US Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East. CENTCOM did not respond to requests for comment.
Earlier on Monday, Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that there were several explosions on Qeshm Island. The Journal reported that the attack was the latest in a series of strikes carried out by Washington in recent weeks.
Fox News, citing officials, said the strikes were defensive and carried out in response to Iran firing at a US aircraft.
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump hinted at renewing attacks on Iran after the US midterm elections on Tuesday. But after a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, he indicated he might be thinking otherwise.