US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz

The United States has struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN. Washington describes the action as defensive, aimed at protecting shipping and US assets in the region. The attack occurred on Monday, November 2, following several other limited, covert US strikes against Iran in recent weeks. US officials said the strikes target Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, with one report indicating a US fighter destroyed a surface-to-air missile launcher after Iran fired at an American aircraft. Iran's IRNA news agency reported five explosions on the island, with residents seeing two aircraft overhead. Qeshm, a key location in the US-Iran conflict, has been central to Tehran's near-total blockade of the strait since February, prompting a US naval blockade of Iranian ports.