U.S. Signals Talks as Airstrikes Continue... Attacks Iran's Qeshm Island

The United States reportedly attacked Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, local time. While U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the possibility of a diplomatic agreement with Iran, it has emerged that the U.S. military has been secretly conducting limited military operations against Iran in recent weeks.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. officials, reported that the U.S. military attacked Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday. Some U.S. officials said the attack was a defensive measure intended to prevent Iran from freely attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. One official said the attack was being deliberately kept secret to avoid suggesting that large-scale military operations could resume. Unlike in the early days of the war, the United States has not been disclosing its recent airstrikes.

Qeshm Island is considered a strategic stronghold at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. It is home to extensive underground missile facilities, a naval base and a seawater desalination plant. The United States also attacked the island in earlier hostilities and reportedly considered plans to occupy it.

The United States had been viewing the prospects for negotiations with Iran favorably. Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., on Monday, President Trump said, "Iran wants a deal, and a deal could actually happen." Asked whether the United States would resume large-scale military attacks on Iran after the midterm elections, he also mouthed the word "no."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said on Monday, "We are working to resolve the issue through dialogue," adding that "the supreme leader has also given the government a certain degree of authority for this purpose." However, Pezeshkian did not specify the scope of the authority granted by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei or say whether Iran's existing position in indirect negotiations with the United States had changed.

However, Pezeshkian did not specify the scope of the authority granted by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei or say whether Iran's existing position in indirect negotiations with the United States had changed.

Bloomberg expected it would be difficult to bridge the gap between the two countries' positions, even if peace talks were held. Iran is demanding that the United States lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, ease sanctions and release frozen assets as preconditions for resuming vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States, meanwhile, is demanding concessions from Iran regarding its nuclear program.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.