US Strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as Vance Cites Diplomatic Optimism
US Central Command confirmed limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, which it called defensive, hours after JD Vance voiced optimism about diplomacy.
The story in focus
The US launched limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island late Monday, confirmed by US Central Command and described as defensive action against missile batteries used against US aircraft. The strikes came hours after Vice-President JD Vance said diplomatic efforts were moving in the right direction, and on the eve of US midterms.
- US Central Command confirmed the strikes on Qeshm Island late Monday, describing them as defensive and aimed at missile batteries used against US planes.
- The strikes came hours after Vice-President JD Vance said he was optimistic diplomatic efforts to end the war were moving in the right direction.
- Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi called the strikes aggression and said Iran retains the right to legitimate defence.
- Israel said it had no role in the attacks; blame inside Iran was initially placed on Israel before being conceded to the US.
- Iran's security council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the US response on Iran's seven conditions was unconvincing and tied reopening the Strait of Hormuz to them.
What the US said about the strikes
US Central Command confirmed limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island late on Monday, according to The Guardian. The US described the action as defensive, targeting missile batteries from which Iranian attacks on US aircraft had been launched the day before, and sought to downplay its significance as not a precursor to a larger promised assault.
The strikes occurred hours after Vice-President JD Vance said he was optimistic that diplomatic efforts to end the war were moving in the right direction, and on the eve of US midterm elections. The Guardian reported that similar military exchanges have happened at least three times since major hostilities ceased.
Iran's response and the talks
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said Iran remains in a state of war and that the aggression against Iran had not ended in its view, affirming the right to legitimate defence. He said Iran does not tie its foreign policy to other countries' elections.
Chief negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf made no direct mention of the attacks in parliament but warned that US miscalculation would bring an unpredictable Iranian response. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the supreme national security council, said on X that the US response to Iran's seven conditions was unconvincing and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen only if those conditions were fully addressed.
Qatar said its mediation was continuing and that both sides remained committed to the process; mediators believe it will be clear within two days whether a basis for continued indirect talks exists.
What did US Central Command say the strikes on Qeshm Island targeted?
Centcom confirmed limited strikes and described them as defensive, aimed at missile batteries from which Iranian attacks on US planes had been mounted the previous day, The Guardian reported.
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