U.S. military forces carried out strikes on the Iranian island of Qeshm, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, on Monday (November 2), according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. At the same time, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that five consecutive explosions were heard on the island, while residents reported seeing two aircraft flying over the area.
The attack took place on the eve of the midterm elections in the United States and at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump appears cautiously optimistic about the possibility of an agreement with Tehran. According to the American newspaper, the operations in Qeshm are part of a series of limited-scale strikes carried out by the U.S. against Iranian targets in recent weeks, without publicly announcing them.
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Five explosions and reports of two aircraft
The Iranian news agency IRNA reported that five explosions were heard in quick succession on the island of Qeshm, located at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
According to residents’ accounts, two aircraft were spotted flying over the area at the time of the explosions.
The reports were also carried by the Turkish news agency Anadolu, though there were initially no official statements from Iranian authorities regarding the origin or causes of the explosions.
— US American Military Force (@AmericanSpoof) November 3, 2026
JUST IN: US STRIKES IRAN on Qeshm Island in self defense after Iran fired a MISSILE toward American aircraft in Hormuz — Axios. Iran’s launcher has been DESTROYED. Keep our troops safe tonight
https://t.co/WxzoPMrIdZ
At the same time, no details had been released regarding the identity and origin of the two aircraft, nor had it been confirmed whether they were directly linked to the incident.
When asked about the matter by the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Pentagon referred the inquiry to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East.
CENTCOM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Wall Street Journal: Secret U.S. Strikes for Weeks
According to the Wall Street Journal, the attack on Keshm is part of a series of smaller-scale U.S. military operations against Iran that have been taking place in recent weeks.
The newspaper cites U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity and described the operations as limited, defensive strikes.
They argued that the primary goal is to limit the ability of Iranian forces to threaten commercial ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
One of the newspaper’s sources stated that Washington is seeking to maintain a low profile regarding these operations, so as not to give the impression that the U.S. is preparing to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.
The island of Qeshm has military facilities of particular importance, including an underground missile facility and a naval base, and it also hosts a major desalination plant.
Trump: “Iran wants a deal as soon as possible”
Despite reports of the new military strikes, Donald Trump appeared optimistic about the prospect of a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
“Iran wants a deal, as soon as possible. It could happen!” he wrote on Monday on the Truth Social platform.
The U.S. president also sought to downplay the possibility of a new major military conflict following the November 3 midterm elections.
When asked by reporters if he was considering new attacks against Iran after the election, he replied in the negative.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, officials in his administration report that Trump continues to evaluate the available options regarding Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz has been virtually blocked since the start of the war
This new escalation comes about eight months after the start of the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes against Iranian targets.
Since then, Tehran has imposed a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, targeting ships attempting to pass through the area without its authorization on an almost daily basis.
This maritime passage is one of the world’s most important arteries for the transport of oil and natural gas, a fact that makes these developments particularly critical for the international energy market.
Although there has been a relative de-escalation of hostilities since September, threats from the United States and Israel have intensified again in recent days.
This renewed tension coincides with the U.S. midterm elections, as well as with political uncertainty in Israel ahead of the post-election period.
At the same time, the prospect of a diplomatic agreement has affected international energy markets, with oil prices falling significantly on Monday amid expectations of a possible de-escalation.
New reports of U.S. strikes in Qasr demonstrate that, despite Trump’s public statements in favor of an agreement, military operations in the region are continuing.
Source: Proto Thema
