US Strikes Iranian Island Ahead of Midterm Votes
Washington presents the attacks as restricted in scope, while Iran's foreign minister says intensive talks to end the war are under way.
Key points
- US officials say strikes hit Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The action is presented as retaliation for an IRGC attack on a US aircraft.
- Explosions on the island on Monday were reported by Iran's IRNA news agency.
- Trump said there was no rush to expand strikes, but did not rule out action.
- Iran's foreign minister says mediated talks with the US are intensive.
According to BBC News, the United States has carried out strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, about the action. On Monday, Iran’s IRNA news agency said blasts were heard across the island.
Washington presents the attacks as restricted in scope. Officials frame them as retaliation for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, known as the IRGC, opening fire on an American aircraft. BBC News has asked US Central Command, the military command handling Middle East operations, to respond.
Read also: Oil prices fall as hopes grow for an end to Iran war
Timing before the midterms
The strikes come just before the US midterm elections. Those votes will decide whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress. President Donald Trump has faced falling poll numbers and pressure from some in his own party to bring the war to an end.
The conflict began in February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Since then, the two sides have traded blows across the region, and the latest exchange has added to concern about how long the fighting will continue.
What Trump has said
Earlier on Monday, Trump told reporters he was in no rush to step up strikes on Iran. He said the US would act in one way or another, and argued that Iran had been crippled financially. He told Axios that Iran had no cash and no fuel, and that its people were growing tired of the conflict.
Speaking to Fox News the day before the midterm votes, Trump said the US might need to target Pickaxe. This is a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. He described such an operation as nothing to worry about and said it could be completed in about one hour.
Asked by a reporter whether significant strikes would resume after the midterms, Trump said no. Reports over the past few days had suggested that larger US strikes could return once the votes are over.
Diplomacy and Iran’s position
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told IRNA that intensive talks aimed at ending the war are under way with the United States. The discussions are being carried out through mediators.
Araghchi also said Tehran is ready for diplomatic or military options, more than at any earlier point. He said the choice now rests with Washington, which could either pursue negotiation or carry out military aggression.
The United States has not publicly set out a timetable for ending its involvement. Based on the reports, it remains unclear whether the talks will produce an agreement, or whether the strikes will widen after the elections.
Frequently asked questions
What did the US strike on Iran?
According to US officials cited by BBC News and CBS, the US struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The officials presented the strikes as restricted and as a response to an IRGC attack on a US aircraft.
Will the US resume large strikes on Iran?
Asked about this on Monday, Trump said no. Reports in recent days had suggested larger strikes could resume after the US midterm elections.
Are there talks to end the war?
Iranu0026#039;s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told IRNA that intensive talks with the US are under way through mediators. Iran said it is ready for both diplomatic and military options.
Sources
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