Trump avoids confirming Iran strikes, says no active war

US President Donald Trump avoided directly addressing reports of new US strikes on Iran during a Tuesday Fox News appearance, instead broadly defending his decision to wage a "war" against Iran while claiming there has been no recent active fighting. Trump stated, "We're not at war. Everyone says you're at war, well, when was the last time we fired anything? This is not a war, it's a very soft war... There's no war going on now, and a war could break out if they don't reach a deal, but they very much want a deal, and there's a very big chance of reaching one." Three US officials told CNN that the military conducted limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, described as defensive actions to protect American assets, in response to Iranian fire toward a US aircraft. The administration deliberately kept the attack quiet to avoid overstating the defensive move, and it does not appear to be part of larger combat operations. The strike, occurring the day before midterm elections, highlights unresolved tensions with Iran, as Qeshm Island is strategically vital for controlling shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump and Vice President JD Vance both expressed optimism about a potential diplomatic deal, with Vance noting "some progress" toward ending the war.