US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island even as Trump talks down war risks: Report

The United States reportedly carried out a covert strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island as part of a series of limited military operations against Tehran in recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The reported attack on Monday came as US President Donald Trump indicated that a possible agreement with Tehran remained within reach, despite continued uncertainty over whether Washington would resume military action against Iran.

In a Truth Social post earlier that day, Trump claimed that oil prices had dropped by nearly $10 per barrel, describing the fall as a record decline. He also asserted that Tehran was keen to reach an agreement at the earliest.

“Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” Trump wrote.

The strike on Qeshm Island was the latest in a series of limited US military operations against Iran in recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing US officials, the newspaper said Washington had deliberately kept the strikes limited in scope and undisclosed to avoid suggesting that it intended to resume its broader military campaign against Tehran.

The reported attack came after several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, located in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

Meanwhile, Trump had on Monday played down the possibility of further US military action against Iran.

When asked by reporters whether he was considering launching strikes against Iran after Tuesday’s US midterm elections, Trump replied, “No”.

US previously hit Qeshm Island in June

The United States had previously targeted Iran’s Qeshm Island on June 2, striking what it identified as an Iranian military ground control station used to coordinate drone operations.

At the time, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had intercepted three one-way attack drones heading towards civilian vessels operating in regional waters, along with several Iranian drones and ballistic missiles launched across the Middle East.

Following these interceptions, the US military conducted a strike on the island’s drone control facility, describing the operation as an act of self-defence.