US launches ‘secret’ strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island as peace talks teeter along
The US and Iran have been at war since February 28, with Washington and Tehran continuing to explore the possibility of a diplomatic settlement even as tensions remain high. The US military’s attack triggered a series of explosions on the island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported.
The strikes were part of a series of limited military operations carried out by Washington in recent weeks, the WSJ said, adding that the attacks had been deliberately kept secret and conducted on a smaller scale to avoid signalling an intention to resume its broader military campaign against Iran. Netanyahu urged Trump to launch fresh strikes after the elections, while the US president wanted to allow diplomatic efforts to continue for now, according to the report. An Israeli source described the conversation as “tough”, while a US source called it “direct”.
The developments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pressed US President Donald Trump to consider fresh military action against Iran after Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Asked by reporters whether he was considering striking Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump replied, “No. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
The United States struck Iran’s Qeshm Island, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing US officials, amid renewed tensions over Washington’s negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of resuming military operations. Trump and Netanyahu held a telephone conversation on Saturday to discuss Washington’s negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of resuming military operations, Axios reported, citing one Israeli and one US source. Earlier on Monday, Trump cast doubt on whether he would follow through on his threat to resume military strikes against Iran, while indicating that a diplomatic agreement remained possible.