US Strikes Qeshm Island, Iran, in Operation US Calls Defensive

The United States struck the island of Qeshm in the Persian Gulf on the night from Monday to Tuesday. In Washington the operation is being called “defensive,” and it took place shortly before the U.S. elections and amid ongoing indirect negotiations with Tehran. According to American sources, the strikes aimed to destroy Iranian capabilities that threatened American military personnel and freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.

One American official reported that missile launchers were among the targets. The source material says this attack showed that American fighter jets and drones from CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command responsible for the Middle East, had recently carried out several operations for which Washington had not previously taken responsibility. Separately, the source reports that Iran intercepted several American drones and attempted to shoot down an American combat aircraft.

American officials stress that these are pinpoint operations and not a return to a large-scale military campaign. The source material adds, however, that the fact such operations are being carried out indicates the military confrontation with Iran was never fully halted at any stage. According to the available data it cites, all strikes over the past two months were directed against air defense systems, land-based missile systems designed to hit naval targets, and fast attack boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The source says these operations followed Iran’s shooting down of American drones and its attempts to attack U.S. combat aircraft.

From Israel’s perspective, the source reports that the IDF and the Defense Ministry have for some time been preparing for a scenario of renewed high-intensity conflict with Iran. Israeli sources said the country’s security system is operating in full coordination with the Americans and is closely monitoring the situation. The source material states that coordination between the Israeli Air Force and U.S. Central Command remains a crucial element of preparation, and that the Israeli Air Force has engaged a joint coordination center established in the United States.

Diplomacy has not been abandoned. The source reports that negotiations have recently been held with Qatari mediation, and Iran says the diplomatic channel remains open, although no breakthrough has yet been achieved. U.S. President Donald Trump continues to signal that a military option is not ruled out. Earlier this week, he said the United States could strike the remaining part of Iran’s nuclear program on short notice and mentioned the facility at Mount Makhoo. The source material suggests that these statements may also be part of a strategy aimed at misleading Iran. Keeping the negotiating door open, as the source describes it, is the kind of peacemaking that the source presents as still unfinished (Romans 12:18).

Iran’s activity against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is also intensifying, according to the source. It reports several recent incidents in which commercial ships were damaged, came under attack, or were targeted in attempted attacks. The source says the United States is trying to keep pressure on Iran while also keeping open a strategically important sea route.

Tehran has threatened a large-scale response to any new attack, and senior Iranian officials have stated that their response will not be limited geographically. The source material says this means American and Israeli targets throughout the region could come under fire. It also notes that Israeli attention is focused on the pace at which events are developing, in light of limited American strikes, Iranian attacks on ships, mutual threats, rising military readiness, and negotiations that have so far been unable to halt the escalation.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)