US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz

The United States struck Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal, marking the latest in a series of covert limited attacks amid ongoing negotiations to end the eight-month conflict. The strike targeted the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian state media reporting five explosions and sightings of two aircraft. US officials described the assaults as defensive, aimed at preventing Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the key oil corridor. The US has not publicly announced the strikes to avoid signaling a resumption of major combat operations. President Donald Trump indicated a deal with Tehran "could happen," and oil prices plunged over seven percent on optimism for a potential end to the conflict.