A US official said the United States conducted limited defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, hours after Vice President JD Vance said he was optimistic a negotiated settlement to end the eight-month war could be reached. The official said the military had targeted “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets,” while Iranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island.
The operation comes on the eve of the US midterm elections, where the war has been a political vulnerability for President Donald Trump's Republican Party. The strikes were described as defensive and limited, rather than a return to full hostilities, and were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
President Trump had previously said the US would not launch strikes on Iran before the midterms. Earlier on Monday, asked if he was considering striking Iran after the elections, Trump replied “no.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, he suggested a deal could happen soon: “Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” Vance told reporters he and Trump felt “pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that "very intensive" indirect talks were under way via mediators, particularly Qatar and Pakistan. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran's demands had been clearly communicated and "the ball is in the US court." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had captured US reconnaissance drones south of Qeshm earlier in the day.
The limited strikes come amid competing pressures on the Trump administration. According to regional officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a new wave of strikes after the elections, a move that could help him form an emergency government. Other US allies in the Middle East are warning against more strikes, saying they would destabilise the region and could lead Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen to step up attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping. Iran-backed militias in Iraq could also get involved.
The war has heavily disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil, while rising fuel prices caused by the war have become a central issue in the midterm campaign.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The timing of the strikes, conducted as senior officials voiced diplomatic optimism, highlights deep contradictions in the US approach to the conflict and raises questions about internal coherence.
- Military action on the very eve of the midterm elections underscores the war's dominance over domestic US politics and its potential to influence voter turnout.
- With Israel pushing for escalation and Gulf states urging restraint, the path forward remains fractured, increasing uncertainty for global markets and regional stability.
Background
The war in Iran began in February 2026 when the United States and Israel launched an offensive. The fighting has heavily disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil. The US currently maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has targeted commercial vessels in the strait. The conflict has weighed heavily on the US economy and become a defining issue in the midterm elections.
Key Perspectives
US Administration (President Trump, VP Vance): Expresses optimism about a negotiated settlement while carrying out what it characterises as limited defensive strikes; maintains it does not seek a return to full-scale war.
Iranian Government (Foreign Minister Araghchi, Spokesman Baghaei): Engaged in what it calls "very intensive" indirect talks, states it is prepared for both diplomacy and military scenarios, and demands the US lift its naval blockade and end hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: According to regional officials, is pushing for a new wave of strikes after the US elections, which could also serve his domestic political needs following his loss of a parliamentary majority.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies: Warning against further escalation, fearing it will provoke Iran-allied forces and destabilise the region.
What to Watch
- Whether the US carries out further strikes or holds at the current limited posture, and how the administration explains its post-election strategy.
- The outcome of the next round of mediated talks between Qatar, Pakistan and Iranian officials.
- The reaction from the Israeli government if the US declines to launch broader strikes after the midterms.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 5 sources: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe US struck Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.Euronews: “The United States has carried out strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said on Monday.”
- SupportedVance voiced optimism about reaching a deal with Iran.World news | The Guardian: “hours after US vice-president JD Vance said he was optimistic diplomatic efforts to end the war were moving in the right direction.”
- Partly supportedUS officials said limited defensive strikes hit Qeshm Island.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The United States has conducted defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official has said... The strikes appeared to be limited”
- SupportedThe reported strikes occurred late Monday, hours after Vance expressed optimism about negotiations.World news | The Guardian: “The US launched limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island late on Monday, according to reports in US media, hours after US vice-president JD Vance said he was optimistic diplomatic efforts to end the war were moving in the right direction.”
- SupportedThe US official said the targets were “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets”.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “said, “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets” had been targeted.”
- SupportedIranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island.RTÉ News: “Earlier, Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that there were several explosions on Qeshm Island.”
- SupportedAsked whether he was considering strikes after the elections, Trump replied “no.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Earlier, when asked by reporters if he was considering striking Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump replied “no”.”
- SupportedTrump wrote, “Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!””
- SupportedVance said he and Trump felt “pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Look, the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement. We’re going to keep on working at it.””
- SupportedAraghchi said indirect talks were under way via mediators, describing them as “very intensive” and identifying Qatar and Pakistan as mediators.Euronews: ““Given the sensitivity and gravity of the current situation, consultations and deliberations are very intensive,” Araghchi told state media. “Qatar and Pakistan are playing a very active mediating role in these negotiations.””
- SupportedBaghaei said Tehran’s demands had been clearly communicated and “the ball is in the US court.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had said Tehran’s demands for peace had been clearly communicated to Washington and “the ball is in the US court”.”
- SupportedNetanyahu is pushing for a new wave of strikes after the US elections, a move that could help him form an emergency government.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for another wave of strikes on Iran after Tuesday’s elections in the United States, according to two regional officials and a third person familiar with the matter. A return to full-scale war with Iran could help Netanyahu to form an emergency government”
