US launches 'secret' strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island as peace talks teeter along

The United States struck Iran's Qeshm Island, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing US officials, amid renewed tensions over Washington's negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of resuming military operations.The attack came after several explosions were reported on the island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media outlet IRNA.The strikes were part of a series of limited military operations carried out by Washington in recent weeks, the WSJ said, adding that the attacks had been deliberately kept secret and conducted on a smaller scale to avoid signalling an intention to resume its broader military campaign against Iran.The US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The developments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pressed US President Donald Trump to consider fresh military action against Iran after Tuesday's US midterm elections.Trump and Netanyahu held a telephone conversation on Saturday to discuss Washington's negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of resuming military operations, Axios reported, citing one Israeli and one US source.

According to the report, Netanyahu urged Trump to launch fresh strikes after the elections, while the US president wanted to allow diplomatic efforts to continue for now. An Israeli source described the conversation as "tough", while a US source called it "direct".Earlier on Monday, Trump cast doubt on whether he would follow through on his threat to resume military strikes against Iran, while indicating that a diplomatic agreement remained possible.Asked by reporters whether he was considering striking Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections, Trump replied, "No."The US and Iran have been at war since February 28, with Washington and Tehran continuing to explore the possibility of a diplomatic settlement even as tensions remain high.