US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island hours before midterm elections

The United States conducted strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, November 2, according to the Wall Street Journal, just hours before the U.S. midterm elections. The action followed President Donald Trump's earlier optimistic statement that a deal with Iran "could happen." The strike is part of a series of limited U.S. operations against Iran in recent weeks, with American officials speaking anonymously to the Journal. The military is reportedly trying to keep these strikes secret to avoid signaling a return to large-scale military operations, while Iran's official Irna news agency reported five explosions and two aircraft sighted over the island. The conflict began with Israeli-American strikes on Iran on February 28, after which Tehran has locked down the Strait of Hormuz and regularly targeted ships attempting to pass without authorization. The Pentagon deferred comment to the U.S. Central Command, which had not immediately responded.