US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz in what officials describe as limited, defensive action

Note

The US launched limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, in the Strait of Hormuz, late on Monday, Nov 2, the Guardian reports. The strikes were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Unnamed US officials described them as defensive.

A US official told Axios that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired a surface to air missile at a US aircraft, and that a US fighter jet then destroyed the launcher on Qeshm in self defense, The National reports. The Hill reports that radar detectors and missile launchers were struck. A US official told Reuters the strikes appeared limited and were not a resumption of major combat operations.

Iranian state media reported several explosions on the island, the Guardian reports. The IRGC did not comment on the strikes but said its forces shot down two US MQM-170 drones south of the island and a US MQ-9 drone east of the strait, the BBC reports. US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Brent crude futures rose 0.5% to $105.25 a barrel in early Asian trade, The National reports. A senior Iranian official told Reuters the two sides were still far from a deal, as mediator Qatar stepped up its efforts. Hours before the strikes, Vice President JD Vance said he was optimistic about a deal, the Guardian reports.