The United States has launched limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials said, raising fresh questions about the prospects for ending a war that has drawn mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump ahead of the US midterm elections.
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The strikes followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a US aircraft, according to the officials, who described the operation as a response to the incident. Iran’s state news agency IRNA also reported several explosions on the island on Monday. The US military’s Central Command, which oversees American operations in the Middle East, had been contacted for comment.
The latest action comes as Trump faces declining approval ratings and growing calls from within his Republican Party to bring the conflict to an end. The war began in February after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering a prolonged confrontation with implications for regional security and global energy markets.
Despite the strikes, Trump sought to play down the prospect of an immediate escalation. Speaking to Axios on Monday, he said he was in “no rush” to intensify military operations, arguing that the campaign had already inflicted significant economic damage on Iran.
“One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially,” he said. “They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it.”
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said the United States might need to target Pickaxe, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, describing such an operation as “not a big deal” that could be completed in “one hour”.
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His comments came amid speculation that Washington could resume large-scale attacks after the midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Democrats take over. Trump rejected the suggestion that the administration was deliberately delaying military action until after the vote.
The election has added a domestic political dimension to the conflict, with the president facing scrutiny over the costs and duration of the war. A change in control of Congress could also complicate his ability to sustain support for his military and foreign policy agenda.
Meanwhile, Tehran has signalled that diplomatic efforts remain active despite the renewed military action. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told IRNA that “very intensive” discussions aimed at ending the war were under way with the United States through intermediaries.
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Araghchi said Iran was prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios “more than ever before”, placing responsibility on Washington to choose between what he described as a “wise path” of negotiation and the “mistake of military aggression”.
The latest developments expose the uncertainty surrounding the conflict, as limited military exchanges continue alongside indirect negotiations. While Washington has indicated that it is not in a hurry to expand its campaign, its latest strikes suggest that the risk of further confrontation remains, even as both sides explore a possible route towards ending the war.
Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.
