Iranupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 30 May 2009U.S. Carries Out Limited Strikes On Iran’s Qeshm Island, Officials Say
“Gulf states have reportedly been told to prepare for a short, intense post-election operation.”
“They described the attacks as self-defense in response to Iran’s ongoing efforts to target maritime shipping and U.S. assets.”
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / US federal government, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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The US conducted limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, officials say. Attacks described as self-defense and not a resumption of major combat operations.
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Qeshm Strike Confirmed
The United States carried out limited strikes Monday on Iran’s Qeshm Island, U.S. officials said, describing the attacks as self-defense rather than a resumption of major combat operations. A U.S. official said, “This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.” Iranian state media said five explosions were heard Monday on Qeshm Island.
Trump told reporters, “I don’t know if you even call it a war, because we haven’t been doing any fighting for months,” as the strikes came on the eve of crucial U.S. midterm elections. The U.S. continues to intercept drones and missiles that are targeting shipping every day, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has routinely targeted and shot at U.S. aircraft over the Strait of Hormuz and in the area over the past few weeks.
Defense, Diplomacy, and Timing
U.S. officials told NBC News that the U.S. strike on Qeshm was carried out after Iran tried to target a U.S. aircraft again, with a U.S. official saying it took out the launcher as part of ongoing operations. A third U.S. official said, “This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.” Vice President JD Vance offered measured optimism that a deal can still be struck, telling reporters, “We’ve had a number of good conversations with the Iranians.”
Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, last week, and Trump said the letter was focused on assisting Iran with “medical supplies and various things.” NBC News added that oil prices dropped sharply Monday as renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war appeared to show signs of progress, while Trump sought to minimize the scale of the conflict.
Regional Stakes and Retaliation
The region remains on edge about the prospect of the U.S. resuming full-scale operations against Iran, as back-channel efforts play out with Israel and some Middle East allies lobbying Trump on the way forward in the eight-month-old war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for renewed strikes even before the Israeli election last week, as he sought to highlight his security credentials to a public scarred by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
The war has loomed large for American voters ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, and the conflict has cost U.S. taxpayers at least $47 billion.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, “While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed,” as he repeatedly said Iran is open to diplomatic talks.
Thousands of U.S. troops remain in the waters off Iran to maintain a naval blockade aimed at preventing tankers carrying Iranian oil from getting to the global market, with a third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops also on their way to the Middle East.