WASHINGTON, November 3. /Dunyo IA/. The United States has carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, amid statements by President Donald Trump expressing the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Tehran, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to official sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the operation was defensive in nature and came in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing on a U.S. aircraft. The strikes were aimed at protecting U.S. assets in the region and did not constitute the start of a large-scale military operation.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported several explosions on the island. Blasts were also heard on neighbouring Hengam Island and in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Meanwhile, the IRGC claimed to have shot down two U.S. reconnaissance drones over Qeshm. It remains unclear whether the incidents were connected to the U.S. strikes.

The strikes took place ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, amid speculation that Washington could resume large-scale military operations against Iran after the vote.

However, Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States was in no hurry to escalate the conflict. In an interview with “Axios”, he said Washington had inflicted significant economic damage on Iran and expressed confidence that Tehran was interested in reaching an agreement.

In an interview with “Fox News”, the U.S. president also raised the possibility of striking the underground “Pickaxe Mountain” facility, which is believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. According to the president, such an operation could take about an hour.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between the two sides are continuing. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said intensive negotiations with the United States were underway through intermediaries.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance also reported progress in the talks, noting that the two sides had made some headway in seeking a way to end the conflict.

Photo credit: AP