US CARRIES OUT LIMITED STRIKES ON IRANIAN TARGETS IN HORMUZ STRAIT

The United States has conducted defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said. Iranian state television reported explosions on Qeshm Island following the action. The official said the strikes targeted "Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets". The action came on the eve of US midterm elections and appeared limited in scale rather than marking a full return to hostilities.

President Donald Trump had previously told reporters that the US would not launch strikes on Iran before the midterms. The war with Iran and its effect on US petrol prices and the wider economy have been cited as a vulnerability for Republicans seeking to retain control of Congress. Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Monday that he had spoken to Trump about talks with Iran. Vance said "the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement." He offered what was described as measured optimism that a deal could still be reached to prevent Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran after the midterms.

The strikes raise questions over the prospects for the negotiated settlement that Vance described as still achievable. Vance's comments came before news of the strikes in the Strait of Hormuz emerged, leaving the status of the prospective deal unclear. No further US action has been confirmed beyond the reported defensive strikes. Iranian authorities have not issued a detailed response to the US official's account beyond the state television report of explosions on Qeshm Island.