The United States carried out a new limited strike against an Iranian air-defense system on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, while the extent of any damage or casualties remained unclear.
Trump described the operation as minor and said U.S. forces destroyed an air-defense installation Iran had recently built. He said the strike took between five and 15 minutes.
Iranian state media reported two explosions near Suza on Qeshm Island. The state-run IRNA news agency cited local residents as saying they heard an aircraft before two projectiles struck the island. Authorities had not released confirmed information about damage or casualties.
Strike Follows Iranian Drone Claim
Shortly before the explosions, Iranian media reported that Iran’s air defenses had downed a U.S. drone over Qeshm. Reports differed over whether the aircraft was an MQ-1 or MQ-9. Washington had not independently confirmed that claim.
The latest attack followed limited U.S. strikes earlier in the week that American officials described as defensive. Explosions were reported at the time on Qeshm and Hengam islands and near the mainland port city of Bandar Abbas.
The new incident raises the risk of further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil-shipping routes. Trump did not announce a return to a broader military campaign.
Qatar-Mediated Talks Continue
The strike came as Qatar continued efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran. Iran is reviewing proposals intended to narrow differences with the United States over its nuclear program, but no agreement has been announced.
Tehran says the United States must lift sanctions, unfreeze Iranian assets, end the blockade of ports and halt regional hostilities before full negotiations can begin. Washington has not publicly accepted that full set of conditions.
Qatar’s International Media Office rejected reports that mediation had failed and said coordination with both sides was continuing.
Sources: Vesti Baku, The Associated Press and Reuters.