In brief
President Trump confirmed that US forces conducted minor strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, targeting air‑defence systems. He described the attacks as defensive and highlighted "a lot of progress" in talks with Tehran. Iranian state media reported missile strikes and drone interceptions, while CENTCOM said conditions remain calm.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that American forces carried out minor strikes against Iranian air‑defence systems on Iran’s Qeshm Island, a location in the Strait of Hormuz that has been a strategic hub for oil shipping. The president made the announcement in a brief press briefing in West Palm Beach, Florida, where reporters recorded his statements for the national audience.
The Qeshm Island incident occurred in the Suza area, an area that has recently seen increased military activity from both sides of the conflict. Trump presented the actions as precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding U.S. forces and interests in the region.
During the briefing, Trump emphasized that the strikes were “minor” and defensive, describing the operations in detail and providing a timeline of the engagement.
"We do minor strikes," Trump told the reporters. "They knocked out – they built a little bit of an anti‑aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five."
Iranian state media reported that two missile strikes had been launched in the Suza area of Qeshm Island around the same time. The state broadcaster also acknowledged that the missiles were perceived as defensive retaliation for the U.S. actions.
The Iranian army announced that it had intercepted and destroyed an American MQ‑9 drone over Qeshm Island. This claim was reported by the national broadcaster IRIB and was supported by a subsequent statement from the Iranian armed forces.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, released a statement late on the same day that the region’s situation was “relatively calm.” A CENTCOM official told Al Jazeera that although reports of explosions were being monitored, no further comment would be made.
In a separate public information effort, CENTCOM posted on the platform X offering a reward of up to $20 million for information regarding Iranian nuclear program facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, including scientists or the movement of nuclear materials.
Qeshm Island, a key point in the Strait of Hormuz, is a contested possession that has frequently been cited in broader discussions about regional stability and the global oil market. The strip of water between Iran and Oman is one of the world’s busiest maritime lanes, and any military escalation in this area raises concerns worldwide.
When asked about the ongoing negotiations, Trump repeatedly stated that his administration was in discussions with representatives from Tehran. He claimed that the U.S. had made “a lot of progress” in talks, though he did not provide specific details on the content of the negotiations.
Notably, earlier coverage from The Guardian referencing the strikes could not be accessed due to site limitations, and a search for the Guardian article returned a “Page Not Found” error. This suggests that the Guardian had reported on the issue but the link is no longer functional.
In related coverage, CBS News reported that President Trump would make a decision shortly about ordering additional strikes in the region, indicating that future military actions could still be contemplated should the diplomatic situation change.
Overall, the President’s confirmation of limited, defensive strikes on Qeshm Island aligns with the broader U.S. strategy of deterrence amid high tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The reactions from both Iranian authorities and U.S. military command suggest a delicate balance between display of force and ongoing diplomatic engagement.
