Trump confirms strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American forces carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island, describing them as limited attacks on Iranian air-defence systems. He also said Washington had made “a lot of progress” in negotiations with Tehran, though he gave no details of the talks.
“We do minor strikes,” Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. “They knocked out – they built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five.”
His remarks came shortly after Iranian state media reported two missile strikes in the Suza area of Qeshm island, which lies near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, reported that the country’s air-defence forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm island. Iranian officials have not independently confirmed the full extent of damage from the reported strikes.
Responding to reports of explosions on the island, US Central Command said the situation was “relatively calm”. A CENTCOM official said the military was aware of the reports but declined to comment further.
CENTCOM also announced a reward of up to $20 million, along with possible relocation, for information on Iran’s nuclear programme, including facilities, equipment, personnel and related movements.
Trump repeatedly said on Friday that his administration was speaking with representatives of Tehran. “We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal,” he said. “We’ve made a lot of progress with Iran.”
Qatar, which has been mediating between the two sides, dismissed reports that negotiations had collapsed. Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said such claims benefited only those seeking to prolong the war and destabilise the region.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said mediation efforts remained active. He said Qatar had worked with US officials in recent weeks to contain the situation and prevent a wider regional escalation.
Friday’s strikes were the first since Trump’s Republican Party suffered losses in Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Trump blamed the results on the Iran war and has since alternated between threats of further action and suggestions that a settlement may be close.
On Thursday, Trump said the United States might have to “destroy” the rest of Iran, adding that people would “know soon enough” if he acted. Unnamed Pentagon officials and military commanders told The New York Times that thousands of US air and naval personnel, aboard more than a dozen ships and stationed at bases across the Middle East and the United States, were ready to resume major combat operations if ordered.
Tehran has intensified diplomatic efforts amid fears of a renewed full-scale US assault. Iran has also warned of retaliation if Washington or Israel carries out further military action.