US launches strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island ahead of midterm elections
US launches strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island ahead of midterm elections The United States has conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said Monday Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Paige Ingram 05:55, Tue, Nov 3, 2026 Updated: 05:55, Tue, Nov 3, 2026 Israeli military strikes across Iran's largest island back in September (Image: Getty) Just hours before the midterm elections the US has launched fresh strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials have said.
The Trump administration was last known to have carried out attacks in early September, but thousands of U.S. troops remain in the waters off Iran to maintain a naval blockade aimed at preventing tankers hauling Iranian oil from getting to the global market. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT It comes after Trump told reporters yesterday that he was in "no rush" to ramp up strikes on Iran. Yet, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported several explosions on the island on Monday - just a day before the US midterm elections.
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. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The strikes appeared to be limited as opposed to a return to full hostilities. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Donald Trump previously said the U.S. would not launch new strikes on Iran before today's midterms.
The war and the resulting impact on U.S. petrol prices and other parts of the economy have been a vulnerability for Republicans as they try to keep control of Congress. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Burnham snaps under pressure as he plots to scrap one of UK's greatest trade deals Andy Burnham's 'Brexit betrayal' dealt huge blow by 'traumatised' EU The strikes tonight have been described as limited and US Officials said they were in response to the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft.
Earlier on Monday, Trump told reporters that he was in "no rush" to ramp up strikes on Iran. "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially," he told news outlet Axios. "They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it." Trump was asked by a reporter on Monday if the US will resume strikes in Iran again after the midterms to which he replied "no". However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for another wave of strikes on Iran after the U.S. elections, according to two regional officials and a third person familiar with the matter.
A return to full-scale war with Iran could help Netanyahu to form an emergency government after he and his far-right allies lost their parliamentary majority in last week’s elections. Trump has alternated between threatening major strikes and pushing for a deal with Iran. The Express has contacted US Central Command (Centcom), responsible for operations in the Middle East, for comment. Iran strikes Donald Trump Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments
Read the original article on express.co.uk (opens in a new tab)