U.S. carries out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island

U.S. forces carried out what officials called "defensive strikes" on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, ABC News and The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials. Officials described the strikes as limited and said they do not signal a return to major combat operations. Iranian state media reported several explosions on the island. Oil prices rose in overnight trading after falling more than 7% on Monday, with Brent crude above $105 a barrel.

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Why it matters

A day before the strikes, President Trump reportedly said he wanted to give diplomacy with Iran more time. Brent crude rose above $105 a barrel overnight after falling more than 7% on Monday, and oil prices feed into fuel costs.

How each side sees it

U.S. officials sayThe strikes were defensive and limited and do not mean a return to major combat. One official told ABC News they responded to an Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft; officials cited by The Wall Street Journal said they were meant to stop Iran from targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran saysIranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island. Earlier Monday, Iran claimed it shot down two U.S. RQ-170 reconnaissance drones; a U.S. official called that claim false.

Sources

Checked against 3 established news sources:

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Published Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.

U.S. carries out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island

Why it matters

How each side sees it

Sources

Also in this edition

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