US Strike in Strait of Hormuz Raises Questions on Next Steps

A US strike on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz hours before Tuesday's midterm elections has raised new questions about future military action, with President Donald Trump having previously signaled potential post-election strikes on Iran. The limited strike targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US forces, according to a US official. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed Trump for renewed military action over the weekend, while back-channel negotiations continue as Iran demands the US lift its naval blockade and sanctions. The strike follows an eight-month conflict that has rattled the global economy and affected US gasoline prices, a political vulnerability for Republicans. Iran's parliament speaker warned of a "new battlefield" if Washington miscalculates, while some Tehran residents expressed hope for policy shifts from the US elections.