US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz, officials say

The United States struck Qeshm Island in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz on Monday, US officials told CBS, the BBC’s US partner. The officials described the strikes as limited and said they were a response to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps firing upon a US aircraft. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported several explosions on the island.

What did the US strike, and why?

Qeshm Island lies in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US officials who spoke to CBS, the strikes were limited and followed the IRGC firing upon a US aircraft. The BBC said it had contacted US Central Command (Centcom), the part of the US military responsible for operations in the Middle East, for comment.

What has Donald Trump said about further strikes?

Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters he was in “no rush” to ramp up strikes on Iran. In comments to the news outlet Axios, he said: “One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially.” He added: “They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it.”

In an interview with Fox News on the eve of the midterm elections, Trump said the US “might need to go after Pickaxe”, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. He described that as “not a big deal” and said it could be done in “one hour”. Asked by a reporter on Monday whether the US would resume significant strikes after the midterms — speculation that had mounted in the preceding days — Trump said “no”.

What is Iran’s foreign minister saying about talks?

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told IRNA earlier that “very intensive” talks to end the war were under way with the US through mediators. Araghchi said Tehran was prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios “more than ever before”, and that it was up to the US to choose between a “wise path” of negotiation or the “mistake of military aggression”.

How do the US midterms fit into the timing?

The strikes came ahead of US midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress. The war began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. Trump has been facing falling polling numbers and pressure from within his party to end the war, the BBC reported.

What else is moving in the same arenas?

Fuel supplies have been handled separately from the fighting. The G7 has said it will release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel over four months, while Washington has weighed a diesel export ban as it presses Europe on reserves.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the US strike Iran?

US officials told CBS that strikes hit Qeshm Island, in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, on Monday. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported several explosions on the island.

Why did the US strike Qeshm Island?

US officials described the strikes as limited and said they responded to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps firing upon a US aircraft.

What has Donald Trump said about escalating against Iran?

Trump told reporters there was “no rush” to ramp up strikes and, asked on Monday whether the US would resume significant strikes after the midterms, said “no”. He also said the US “might need to go after Pickaxe”, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

Are the US and Iran holding talks?

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told IRNA that “very intensive” talks to end the war were under way with the US through mediators.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)