Explosions Hit Iran's Qeshm Island as US Media Report Strikes Near Strait of Hormuz
Several explosions were heard on Iran's Qeshm Island in rapid succession late on Monday, 2 November, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. The same night, US media reported that the US military had carried out strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Qeshm Island lies off Iran's southern coast, close to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea passage that commercial ships use. Witnesses told IRNA they saw two planes flying over the island. Iran's Fars news agency reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Lengeh, coming from the direction of the sea. Mehr News Agency also reported explosions on Qeshm Island and in Bandar Lengeh on Monday night.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials, that the US military had carried out strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. The Associated Press, citing a US official, reported that the US had conducted defensive strikes against Iranian targets there. US officials described the strikes as defensive and aimed at limiting Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the strait. CNN reported, citing a US official, that the US carried out limited strikes on Qeshm Island on Monday.
One US official said Washington had deliberately kept the campaign low-profile to avoid signalling a return to major combat operations. Oil prices rose after the report of a US strike on Qeshm Island, CNBC reported.
The events follow months of confrontation in the region. In June, U.S. Central Command said its forces had intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf neighbours. In July, Iranian media reported explosions on Kish and Qeshm islands, in Bandar Abbas and on Abu Musa Island, according to Reuters. Later that month, Reuters reported that US strikes killed three civilians and wounded two children on Qeshm Island, and killed three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Zanjan province.
