The United States has carried out military strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours before millions of Americans head to the polls for the country’s midterm elections.
US officials have described the operation as limited and defensive, but the attack comes amid an already tense conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that five explosions were heard on Qeshm Island on Monday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed that its forces shot down two US MQM-170 reconnaissance drones south of the island, as well as an MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes took place only hours after US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he was in no hurry to intensify military action against Iran. Despite his remarks, American forces went ahead with the operation, raising fresh questions about the direction of the conflict.
The United States and Iran have been at war since February, when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iranian targets. Although fighting has eased in recent weeks, tensions remain high, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes.
The waterway remains closed amid military actions by both sides, adding to concerns over the potential impact on global energy supplies and international trade.
The latest strikes also come at a politically sensitive moment for President Trump. Millions of Americans are due to vote on Tuesday to elect representatives to the US House of Representatives and the Senate.
The midterm elections will be a major test for Trump’s Republican Party, as the results will determine whether it retains control of both chambers of Congress. The outcome could also shape the president’s ability to advance his domestic and foreign policy agenda during the remainder of his term.
