The United States carried out defensive airstrikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, two U.S. officials told ABC News. These limited strikes are in response to an Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft earlier in the day.
One official characterized the airstrikes as defensive, a term used for retaliatory strikes following Iranian attacks on shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has increased the frequency of these limited strikes in recent weeks in response to Iran's heightened attacks on commercial vessels transiting the waterway. These recent strikes have not been publicized to avoid signaling a resumption of major combat operations against Iran.
Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island shortly after the U.S. strikes. Earlier on Monday, Iran had claimed to have shot down two RQ-170 reconnaissance drones, a claim a U.S. official stated was false.
U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.