US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island near Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise

The United States conducted defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, escalating tensions in the eight-month-old conflict, even as diplomatic efforts continued. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, described the attack as part of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out in recent weeks. Iranian state media reported five explosions on the island, with residents seeing two aircraft overhead, though no casualties were confirmed. Global crude oil prices dropped over 8% on Tuesday amid hopes for a diplomatic resolution following mediation talks in Qatar. Meanwhile, a Houthi missile strike in Yemen killed five people, and Iran's president vowed to foil US plots through dialogue.