US President Donald Trump said the United States had carried out “minor strikes” on Iran on Friday, as reports emerged that two missiles had struck Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump did not explicitly confirm that the US strikes he described were the same attacks reported on the island. The remarks came amid renewed uncertainty over whether Washington would escalate its military campaign or pursue another diplomatic effort with Tehran following the US midterm elections.
Trump Says US Conducted Minor Strikes on Iran
Speaking to reporters on Friday evening after arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump declined to comment directly on reports of missile strikes on Qeshm Island.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said when asked about the island.
However, Trump acknowledged that the US had carried out limited military operations against Iran.
“We do minor strikes, but they knock out. They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five,” he said.
Trump did not specifically identify the location of the strikes he was describing or confirm that they were connected to the reported missile attacks on Qeshm Island.
Two Missiles Reportedly Strike Iran’s Qeshm Island
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Friday that two missiles had struck Qeshm Island, according to Reuters.
Tasnim said there was no official information available about the extent of the damage.
Qeshm is located off Iran’s southern coast, close to the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is a major route for global oil and gas transportation and has become a key flashpoint during the conflict.
The reports of missile strikes therefore add to concerns about the security situation around one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
US Previously Struck Qeshm Island on Monday
Friday’s reports followed an earlier US strike on the same island on Monday.
A US official described that operation as a “defensive measure” in comments to MS Now.
The reported Friday missile strikes are separate from Monday’s operation in the available reporting. Trump acknowledged that the US had conducted minor strikes but did not explicitly confirm that his remarks referred to the latest reported incident on Qeshm Island.
The developments also marked the first reported strikes since Tuesday’s US midterm elections.
Before the vote, analysts and regional officials had debated whether the political outcome would push Trump toward further military escalation or encourage a renewed diplomatic approach to the conflict.
Trump Says Iran Wants to Make a Deal
Trump also claimed that Iran was eager to reach an agreement with Washington.
“They want to make a deal very badly. They have 300% inflation. Their navy’s gone. Their airport, everything’s gone, and they want to make a deal,” he told reporters.
However, the inflation figure cited by Trump differs from the International Monetary Fund’s published forecast. In its October 13 report, the IMF projected that Iran’s consumer prices would rise by an average of 78.6% in 2026.
When asked whether he wanted an agreement to be reached soon, Trump pointed to the absence of US casualties and questioned how long the conflict had involved sustained fighting.
“Well, we have nobody getting hurt, nobody getting killed,” he said.
He added that although the conflict may have lasted seven months, the period of intense fighting had been considerably shorter.
Trump compared the situation with the scale and duration of the First and Second World Wars, arguing that the current conflict had involved only a limited period of sustained combat.
Iran Demands Practical Commitments Before New Talks
Despite Trump’s claims that Tehran wants an agreement, Iranian officials have indicated that the country expects more than verbal assurances before entering a new phase of diplomatic negotiations.
Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on Friday that Washington must demonstrate practical steps before talks can move forward.
“We must see practical measures by the Americans,” Bagheri Kani told state broadcaster IRIB, according to Press TV.
Iran’s position suggests that concrete actions from Washington remain an important condition for further diplomatic engagement.
The contrast between Trump’s comments about Iran’s willingness to make a deal and Tehran’s demand for practical commitments highlights the gap that remains between the two sides.
US Midterm Elections Add a New Dimension to Iran Policy
The latest reported strikes came after Tuesday’s US midterm elections, adding another political dimension to the ongoing conflict.
Before the vote, analysts and regional officials had considered whether the election results would influence Trump’s approach toward Iran.
The first reported strikes since the elections may intensify questions over the administration’s next steps. However, the available reports do not establish whether Washington is preparing for a broader military campaign or seeking to use limited operations alongside diplomatic pressure.
For now, Trump’s comments and Iran’s response indicate that military developments and negotiations remain closely connected, while the prospects for a new agreement are still uncertain.
Market Impact: Why Qeshm Island and the Strait of Hormuz Matter
Oil and Gas: Qeshm Island’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz makes developments in the area particularly important for energy markets. Any increase in security risks around the waterway could raise concerns about the transportation of oil and gas.
Geopolitical Risk: Reports of further military activity may increase uncertainty surrounding the conflict, particularly if additional strikes or retaliatory actions are reported.
Financial Markets: Traders will be watching developments around the Strait of Hormuz, as well as statements from Washington and Tehran, for signs of further escalation or renewed diplomacy.
The available report does not provide specific oil or financial market price movements following Friday’s developments. The market impact will therefore depend on whether tensions intensify and whether shipping routes or energy supplies face any disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Trump Confirm US Strikes on Qeshm Island?
No. Trump said the US had carried out minor strikes against Iran but did not explicitly confirm that he was referring to the reported missile strikes on Qeshm Island.
Were Two Missiles Reported to Have Hit Qeshm Island?
Yes. Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that two missiles struck the island on Friday. It also said there was no official information about the damage.
Why Is Qeshm Island Strategically Important?
Qeshm Island is located off Iran’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for international oil and gas transportation.
Did the US Previously Attack Qeshm Island?
Yes. The US struck the island on Monday, in an operation that a US official described as a defensive measure.
What Did Trump Say About Iran Wanting a Deal?
Trump claimed that Iran wanted to reach an agreement with the United States very badly. However, Iranian officials have said that practical measures from Washington are necessary before a new phase of diplomatic talks can begin.
What Are Iran’s Conditions for New Diplomatic Talks?
Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran must see practical measures from the United States rather than relying on paper commitments.
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