Update: U.S. Strikes Iran's Qeshm Island on Eve of Midterms as Israel Presses Lebanon on Hezbollah
A U.S. official called the strikes defensive. Israel has reportedly asked Lebanon to keep Hezbollah out of any renewed war with Iran, while Washington and Tehran keep talking.
See where this is ›JERUSALEM, Israel —
The United States struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz early Nov. 3, the eve of the U.S. midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials, according to Reuters and the Times of Israel. Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported several explosions on the island, and Iranian state television also reported blasts there.
A U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly told the Associated Press the United States carried out “defensive strikes” on some Iranian targets in the strait. The official said the targets were “Iranians using surface to air missiles against US assets.” U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
See where this is ›The Journal described the strike as the latest in a series of smaller U.S. strikes in recent weeks that have been kept secret so as not to signal a return to a major military campaign against Iran. Watchman News reported Oct. 31 on a separate account that the United States had told Gulf allies to prepare for possible new strikes as early as Nov. 4.
In Israel, public television reported Nov. 2, citing a security source, that Israel has asked the Lebanese government, through U.S. mediators, to deploy troops and set up roadblocks in areas where Hezbollah operatives live, to keep the group from joining any renewed fighting with Iran. Israel warned Beirut that fighting in Lebanon would flare again if Hezbollah attacks Israel, the Times of Israel reported. Hezbollah entered the war on March 2, and an agreement to end that conflict was reached in June, though sporadic fighting has continued.
Talks are also moving. Vice President JD Vance told reporters Nov. 2 that “the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement.” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran “wants a settlement, as soon as possible,” and, asked at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool whether he was considering strikes after the midterms, answered “no,” the Times of Israel reported. A diplomat told the paper a draft deal would have Iran reopen the strait in exchange for sanctions relief, followed by nuclear talks.
Iran's side sounded more cautious. A senior Iranian official told Reuters the two countries remain far from a deal and that Tehran will not accept Washington's “excessive demands.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed “intensive” talks through mediators, and Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on the evening of Nov. 2, the Times of Israel reported.
What we don't know yet: What exactly was hit on Qeshm Island and whether anyone was killed or hurt. The reports rest on unnamed U.S. officials and Iranian state media, and no on-record U.S. statement had been released when this story was written. Lebanon's response to Israel's reported request, and how the strike will affect the talks, are also unclear.
