The US military has carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, according to US officials. The move comes after Iran reportedly shot down an American drone and unsuccessfully targeted two American fighter jets.
What happened
US officials have framed the strikes as a limited response targeting Iranian missile launchers, emphasizing that it is not a return to major combat operations. The strikes were described as a defensive measure in response to Iranian use of surface-to-air missiles against US assets.
President Trump had previously pledged not to strike Iran before the US midterm elections. In a separate development, President Trump announced that the US would halt direct aid to Israel by the end of the year, although the specifics of this decision remain unclear.
The strikes have had minimal impact on global oil markets, with Brent oil prices opening at $104.45 on Monday, down slightly from its previous close. The average price of regular gasoline in the US is currently $4.15 per gallon, and the average price of diesel is $6.29 per gallon.
