U.S. carries out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island after Iranian forces fired at American aircraft, officials say

The U.S. military carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday after Iranian forces fired at an American aircraft, three U.S. officials told CNN, describing the operation as defensive rather than the start of a renewed large-scale campaign.

One official said the strikes followed an Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft. Another said the action was taken in response to Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.

“This was a defensive measure for Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets,” the official said.

U.S. officials stressed that the strikes did not appear to represent the kind of major combat operation Washington has been considering against Iran.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the operation, said U.S. forces have carried out other limited strikes against Iranian targets in recent weeks without publicly announcing them, in part to avoid signaling a return to full-scale combat.

Iranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island late Monday. IRNA said witnesses saw two aircraft over the island, while explosions were also reported near Bandar Lengeh on Iran’s southern coast.

Qeshm sits in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes and a focal point of repeated military tensions during the U.S.-Iran conflict.

U.S. Central Command had not publicly issued a statement on Monday’s strikes when the reports emerged.

The operation came hours after President Donald Trump said he was not considering renewed strikes on Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, even as U.S. officials said he continued to weigh his broader options toward Tehran.