by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – The United States carried out limited military strikes against Iranian targets on Qeshm Island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, targeting air-defense systems threatening American aircraft as President Donald Trump weighs a possible diplomatic agreement with Tehran while keeping the threat of further military action on the table.
U.S. officials described the strikes as defensive operations aimed at Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against American assets. Fox News reported that the operation followed Iranian fire directed at a U.S. aircraft.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the attack was the latest in a series of previously undisclosed American strikes against Iranian military positions in recent weeks, suggesting that limited military operations have continued despite Washington’s efforts to avoid another major escalation.
The strikes came just ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, as Trump signaled that a negotiated settlement with Iran remained possible.
“Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible,” Trump wrote Monday, even as his administration maintained pressure on Tehran.
Iran Warns of Retaliation as Negotiations Continue
Iranian officials condemned the American strikes and warned that Tehran reserved the right to retaliate. Meanwhile, Qatari mediators continued efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran over a potential agreement to end the conflict.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the two sides remained far apart, with Tehran insisting that its conditions be met before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies.
The latest confrontation underscores the fragile balance between diplomacy and military force, with Washington seeking to contain Iran’s regional threats while leaving open the possibility of a broader military campaign if negotiations collapse.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
