US strike on Iranian missile launcher at Qeshm Island draws sharp criticism

The Trump administration conducted a U.S. fighter jet strike destroying an Iranian surface-to-air missile launcher on Qeshm Island, sparking immediate outrage on the eve of the midterm elections. Axios correspondent Barak Ravid reported the strike Monday night, citing a senior U.S. official who called it a self-defense action after the Revolutionary Guards launched an anti-aircraft missile. The escalation comes as Republicans are expected to lose House and possibly Senate control. Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, condemned the move, saying it undermines hopes for a diplomatic agreement after eight months of conflict and threatens to spiral into violent scenarios post-election.