US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as Vance signals hope for a deal

The US launched limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island late Monday, according to US media reports, hours after Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the war. The strikes were described as defensive and not a signal of full hostilities resumption. The strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles used against US assets, as reported by Reuters and the Associated Press. They occurred on the eve of crucial US midterm elections, where Trump's Republican party faces potential voter backlash over the war's impact on the cost of living. Qeshm Island, positioned at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, has been targeted multiple times during the conflict. Iran has continued enforcing the strait's closure by targeting oil tankers and vessels, despite recent weeks without US strikes. Trump denied considering resuming strikes after the elections.