US Carries Out Limited Defensive Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz

The United States carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, November 2, 2026, US officials said. The action was described as defensive and not a resumption of major combat operations.

One US official told reporters the strikes responded to Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against American assets. Another official said the attack came after Iran fired at a US aircraft. Fox News, citing officials, reported the same sequence. Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported several explosions on the island on Monday evening. Local outlets initially described the cause as unclear.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the strikes, describing them as the latest in a series of limited, previously undisclosed attacks Washington has conducted against Iran in recent weeks. A person familiar with the matter said the administration deliberately kept the attack under wraps to avoid overstating a defensive move. US Central Command, which oversees American forces in the region, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon referred questions to CENTCOM.

The strikes occurred hours after Vice President JD Vance said he and President Trump felt pretty good about the prospects for a negotiated settlement with Iran. Trump told reporters earlier on Monday that the US had not been doing any fighting for months and that he had not considered resuming strikes after Tuesday’s midterm elections. When asked directly about possible post-election strikes, he replied no.

Oil prices rose after reports of the US attacks in Iran. The island sits in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint. Qeshm is Iran’s largest island and has strategic significance for both shipping and military positioning.

The action came on the eve of US midterm elections in which Trump’s Republican party faces challenges over the cost of living, including energy prices linked to regional tensions. Several of Washington’s Middle East allies have warned against new strikes, saying they would destabilize the region. There was no official comment from Israel or the White House about any recent discussion between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on further action.

Iranian media confirmed explosions but provided no immediate details on targets or damage. US officials stressed the strikes were limited and aimed at protecting US assets rather than expanding the conflict. The episode underscores that combat remains possible even as diplomatic channels continue.

Previous limited strikes in recent weeks had not been publicly confirmed until this report. The timing, one day before American voters decide control of Congress, drew attention because of the potential domestic political implications of any escalation in the Middle East.