The United States has carried out a strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island, with US officials describing the operation as a defensive measure aimed at protecting American assets in the region, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Citing US officials, the newspaper said the military action was launched in response to Iranian fire directed at a US aircraft. One official characterised the operation as a defensive response to the incident.
The reported strike comes amid diplomatic developments, with US President Donald J Trump recently expressing optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran. Speaking to reporters , Trump said the United States had not been engaged in any fighting for several months, signalling his administration’s preference for avoiding further military confrontation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state news agency reported that five successive explosions were heard on Qeshm Island. However, details about the targets or the extent of any damage were not immediately available.
In a separate development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 drone near the Strait of Hormuz, adding to tensions between the two countries.
The reported US strike and Iran’s claims of downing an American drone have raised fresh concerns about a possible escalation in the region, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments come as Washington and Tehran face the challenge of balancing military tensions with prospects for a diplomatic understanding.
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