US strikes hit Iran's Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz

The United States struck the Iranian island of Qeshm in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal, despite President Donald Trump's earlier optimism about negotiations with Tehran. The strike occurred on the eve of U.S. midterm elections and is part of a series of limited U.S. attacks on Iran in recent weeks, U.S. officials told the Journal anonymously. The military is reportedly trying to keep these strikes secret to avoid signaling a return to large-scale operations. Iran's Irna news agency reported five explosions on Qeshm and residents seeing two aircraft. The Pentagon referred inquiries to Centcom, which had not responded. Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Iran wants a deal, as quickly as possible. It could happen!" Iran has locked down the Strait of Hormuz since the war began with Israeli-American strikes on February 28, targeting ships without authorization. Despite a military lull since September, threats have increased amid Trump's difficult midterm elections and post-election uncertainty in Israel.