US launches fresh strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island despite peace talks

Washington: The United States has carried out fresh strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, escalating tensions in the region even as President Donald Trump claims diplomatic efforts with Tehran are making progress, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The latest attack is part of a series of limited strikes that Washington has reportedly conducted in secret in recent weeks. US officials told the Journal that the operations were defensive, intended to prevent Iranian forces from targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

An unnamed US official told the Associated Press (AP) that the targets on Qeshm Island were Iranian personnel who had used surface-to-air missiles against US assets. The strikes appeared limited in scope rather than a resumption of full-scale hostilities.

The attack comes despite Trump's earlier indication that Washington would avoid fresh strikes ahead of the US midterm elections. He has also downplayed the military confrontation while insisting that negotiations with Tehran are advancing. US Central Command did not respond to Reuters' request for comment, according to the news agency.

Meanwhile, Iran has signalled that its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be implemented within two days. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran's seven-step plan remained unchanged.

The proposal includes reopening the strategic waterway, resuming negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions and securing guarantees against further attacks. It also calls for a region-wide ceasefire, particularly in Lebanon.

However, there is no indication that Washington has accepted Tehran's conditions or that an agreement is imminent. The eight-month conflict remains unresolved.