US Strikes Iran's Qeshm Island in Secret Defensive Operations While Trump Touts Peace Talks

The United States military carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, U.S. officials confirmed to multiple outlets including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and AP, describing the action as the latest in a series of limited, undisclosed operations conducted against Iran over recent weeks. Officials framed the strikes as defensive measures aimed at protecting commercial shipping lanes and U.S. assets in the region, with the attacks occurring on the eve of the 2026 midterm elections.

Two specific incidents on Monday illustrate the scope of the activity: in one, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired a surface-to-air missile at a U.S. jet fighter, which returned fire in self-defense; in a separate incident, U.S. forces intercepted an IRGC missile launched from Qeshm that was targeting commercial shipping. Explosions around Qeshm were reported on social media, though U.S. Central Command had not publicly announced the strikes.

The military action stands in sharp contrast to public statements from the Trump administration. President Trump told reporters Monday that "we had a war with Iran, we won" and that there had been "no fighting for months," while simultaneously touting falling oil prices and saying a peace deal "could happen" because Iran "wants a settlement." Vice President JD Vance separately expressed optimism about reaching a "negotiated settlement" with Tehran. Iran's Foreign Ministry said any deal is up to the United States.

On the Iranian side, tensions remain elevated: Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered military commanders to launch an immediate, geographically unrestricted response to any attack, and Iran opened a new urban military training camp for civilians. Attention has also turned to Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear facility near the Natanz complex, which officials have discussed as a potential future target.

Oil markets whipsawed on the competing signals. Brent crude had settled 7.63% lower on Monday at $104.77 a barrel as diplomatic hopes grew, then rebounded 48 cents to $105.25 in early Asian trading after the Qeshm strike reports emerged. U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 47 cents to $96.93. Asian shipping and energy stocks fell on peace hopes before the strike news broke. Goldman Sachs separately raised its European natural gas forecast for Q1 2027 to 74 euros per megawatt-hour from 44 euros, citing a 45% chance of winter LNG disruptions.