US carries out 'limited strikes' on Qeshm Island in Iran

The US military has carried out "limited strikes" on Qeshm Island in Iran - hours before the midterms are due to take place.

Two officials told Sky's US partner NBC News that they were in self-defence - and in response to Tehran continuing to target maritime shipping and American assets.

They added this is not a resumption of major combat operations in Iran.

One of the officials claimed the US is intercepting drones and missiles aimed at shipping on a daily basis - and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "has also routinely targeted and shot at US manned and unmanned aircraft over the Strait of Hormuz" in the past few weeks.

It comes as a diplomat told Sky News that Qatari mediators had "positive talks in Tehran" on Monday night.

They added the mediators are now in Doha, and that "the two sides are now separately reviewing the latest suggestions from mediators aimed at bridging the gaps".

Iran has been accused of attempting to target a US aircraft, which led to the strike on Qeshm Island to take out a launcher.

"This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets," a third official added.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian state media had reported there were several explosions on the island.

Located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, Qeshm Island, which is approximately 1,445sq km (558sq miles) in size, has been the target of previous US attacks throughout the conflict.

Donald Trump has hinted at renewing attacks on Iran after the midterm elections over recent weeks - but after a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, he indicated he might be thinking otherwise.

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In a post on Truth Social on Monday, the US president reiterated claims he has made throughout the conflict that a deal between Washington and Tehran could soon be reached.

He wrote: "Oil Prices are DROPPING LIKE A ROCK, down almost $10 a Barrel, A RECORD, because people feel that there will not be a War with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!"

The US military campaign against Iran has been a key talking point leading up to the midterm elections, with the war having a knock-on impact on the US economy by driving up the price of oil.

JD Vance, the US vice president, told reporters earlier this week that "the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement".

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that a deal to end the war is far from agreed, saying that it would not accept the US's "excessive ‌demands".

(c) Sky News 2026: US carries out 'limited strikes' on Qeshm Island in Iran