The US military has conducted defensive strikes against Iran, targeting Qeshm Island, which is home to Tehran's military infrastructure. The strikes were in response to Iranian surface-to-air missiles being used against US assets.
What happened
The US forces launched the defensive strikes on Monday night, marking the first attacks in two months. The specific targets in the strikes were Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets. The latest attacks do not mark the return to war, as multiple reports said the attacks were limited.
The timing of the military operation is notable, as it comes on the eve of the midterm elections. President Donald Trump had previously said that US officials had been engaged in "productive discussions" with Iran, but also stated that the possibility of more strikes remains on the table.
The conflict with Iran has been a major issue in the midterm elections, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane, causing oil and gas prices to rise. Trump has characterized the conflict as "not a war" and has said that the US has "won" and controls the Strait of Hormuz.
