US strikes Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz ahead of midterms

The United States launched defensive strikes on Iranian military assets in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

The attacks targeted Iranian surface-to-air missile systems that were positioned against U.S. naval assets, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, a key location in the strait. The strikes marked a limited engagement rather than a return to full-scale combat, occurring just one day before the U.S. midterm elections.

The conflict has cost American taxpayers at least $47 billion since it began eight months ago. Thousands of U.S. troops remain stationed in the waters off Iran to maintain a naval blockade designed to stop Iranian oil tankers from reaching global markets. A third aircraft carrier and additional troops are currently en route to the Middle East. The financial strain has weighed on Republican efforts to retain control of Congress, with rising gasoline prices serving as a primary economic concern for voters.

Vice President JD Vance indicated that a negotiated settlement remains possible despite the recent gunfire. He sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief, last week, which the White House described as focusing on medical supplies. Vance told reporters that he spoke with President Donald Trump about an hour prior to his press conference and that both leaders feel optimistic about reaching a deal. Rezaei stated on state television that the tone from the U.S. has changed significantly, calling it a good sign, though he has not yet responded to Vance’s correspondence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the U.S. to launch a new wave of strikes after the American elections. Two regional officials said Netanyahu made this request during a phone call with Trump over the weekend. Netanyahu seeks to form an emergency government following his party’s loss of a parliamentary majority in last week’s Israeli elections. While some Middle Eastern allies support a military push, others warn that further strikes could destabilize the region and prompt Houthi rebels in Yemen to intensify attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping.

Diplomatic channels remain active as military pressure builds. Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks with Iranian officials last week, working toward a framework that would see Iran cease attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its port blockade. Additional talks are scheduled for this week. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, met with military chiefs to discuss an immediate and unlimited response to any U.S. or Israeli threat. China announced it will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.

Oil prices dropped sharply on Monday as the latest diplomatic efforts showed signs of progress. Trump noted the decline during a speech in Washington, describing the conflict as a period where the U.S. has not been fighting for months. The White House did not directly address the specifics of the weekend call between Trump and Netanyahu. The U.S. and Iran have a history of negotiations being interrupted by military action, with both sides previously engaging in attacks while discussing a nuclear deal.