Trump Confirms “Minor Strikes” on Iran as Missile Reports Emerge From Qeshm Island

President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday evening that American forces had carried out “minor strikes” on Iran, shortly after Iranian media reported two missiles landing on Qeshm Island. He declined to talk about the island directly and did not clearly link his remarks to that report. He described the target as a small anti-aircraft system that was destroyed within minutes. If those were the strikes in question, they would be the first since Tuesday’s midterm elections. A US official had described a Monday strike on the same island as a defensive measure.

Qeshm Island and the Strait of Hormuz

Qeshm sits off Iran’s southern coast, close to the Strait of Hormuz, the key route for oil and gas shipments and a flashpoint in the war. Iran’s Tasnim agency said there was no official information on damage.

Trump Says Iran Wants a Deal

Trump claimed Tehran wants an agreement badly, pointing to heavy inflation and a weakened military. The International Monetary Fund, however, forecasts average consumer price growth of 78.6% in Iran this year, well below his figure. He also said the fighting had been limited to a few weeks within a seven month conflict.

Iran Demands Practical Steps From Washington

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran needs real measures from the Americans and will not accept paper commitments before entering a new diplomatic phase.