US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran's Strategic Qeshm Island Near Strait of Hormuz

Tehran: The United States has carried out fresh military strikes on Iran's strategically important Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials, amid continuing uncertainty over diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.

The attacks took place on Monday (local time) and were part of what the newspaper described as a series of limited US military operations against Iran in recent weeks. The strikes reportedly came even as President Donald Trump publicly indicated that Washington remained open to a diplomatic settlement.

According to the report, the US has been conducting smaller-scale attacks against Iranian targets for several weeks. Explosions were also reported on social media around Qeshm Island on Monday.

Some American officials described the latest operations as defensive measures intended to prevent Iran from freely targeting commercial vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route.

Unlike previous military operations, Washington has not publicly acknowledged the latest strikes. A US official reportedly said the administration was deliberately keeping the campaign discreet to avoid creating the impression that it intended to resume large-scale combat operations.

Trump, meanwhile, said he was in no hurry to decide whether to restart military action against Iran.

"One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially. They have no money, no gasoline, and their people are getting very tired of it," he told Axios in a telephone interview on Monday.

According to Axios, the upcoming US midterm elections are emerging as an important factor in Trump's decision-making on whether to launch a major bombing campaign against Iran in an attempt to bring the conflict to an end.

The report suggested that the US President was pursuing two parallel approaches: allowing diplomatic negotiations to continue while keeping the option of renewed military action open if he concludes that an agreement is no longer achievable.

Trump also pointed to falling international oil prices as a possible indication that markets were anticipating a diplomatic breakthrough.

"Oil Prices are dropping like a rock, down almost 10 US dollars a barrel, a record, because people feel that there will not be a war with Iran. Iran wants a settlement as soon as possible. It could happen," he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Monday.

Tehran, however, has maintained a tough public position, warning that any fresh attack on Iranian territory would invite an unrestricted response.

At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated that his country remains prepared to continue negotiations, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

The latest reported strikes highlight the fragile situation surrounding the conflict, with Washington maintaining military pressure while leaving the door open for diplomacy. The developments are particularly significant given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of the world's oil shipments passes.

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