The United States has conducted strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials told CBS, the BBC's US partner. The strikes were described as limited and defensive, occurring in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft.
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported explosions on the island on Monday. US officials have been contacted for comment by US Central Command (Centcom), the US military's Middle East operational arm.
The incident occurs just ahead of the US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. President Trump has faced declining poll numbers and internal party pressure to conclude the conflict, which began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. Earlier on Monday, Trump indicated he was not in a rush to escalate strikes, telling Axios that the US had "crippled them financially."
In an interview with Fox News on the eve of the midterms, Trump also suggested the US "might need to go after Pickaxe," a site associated with Iran's nuclear program, adding that such an action could be completed in "one hour." He dismissed speculation of a significant resumption of strikes post-election, telling a reporter "no."
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told IRNA that "very intensive" talks are underway with the US via mediators to end the war. He stated Tehran was prepared for both diplomatic and military outcomes and that the choice between negotiation and "military aggression" rested with the US.