President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed U.S. military strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as minor strikes against Iranian air defenses. "We do minor strikes," Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. "They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five."
Trump spoke shortly after Iranian state media reported two missile strikes in the Suza area of the island, along a crucial route for oil shipments. State broadcaster IRIB carried an Iranian army statement saying air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 drone over Qeshm. A U.S. Central Command official said the command was aware of the reports and that the situation was "relatively calm," declining further comment.
CENTCOM later announced a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran's nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment and personnel such as scientists. The strikes were the first since Tuesday's midterms, which Trump blamed on the Iran war. On Thursday he said the U.S. may have to "destroy" the rest of Iran.
Trump also said his administration was talking to representatives from Tehran. "We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal," he said. "We've made a lot of progress with Iran." Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari dismissed reports that U.S.-Iran negotiations had failed, saying such claims serve "only those seeking to prolong the war and destabilise the region."
Iranian media had reported explosions on Qeshm on Monday, when U.S. outlets described what officials called "defensive strikes" in the Strait of Hormuz. Pentagon officials told The New York Times this week that thousands of U.S. air and naval forces in the region are poised to resume major combat operations on Trump's orders.
