US Strike on Iran's Qeshm Island Targets Missiles; Hormuz Tensions Rise

The United States conducted a limited attack on Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, according to US officials, marking the latest in a series of covert missions against the country. The strike targeted surface-to-air missiles used against American assets, as confirmed by the Wall Street Journal. Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported shooting down a US MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz during the night. President Donald Trump downplayed the conflict, stating the US is not at war with Iran, while an Iranian official said the two nations remain far from reaching a peace agreement. The attack comes ahead of US midterm elections, as Trump continues to suggest a diplomatic deal is possible. Saudi Aramco has begun preliminary design work to expand its East-West pipeline, which would bypass the Strait of Hormuz, increasing capacity from 7 million to 10 million barrels daily.