US President Donald Trump said American forces carried out fresh limited strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting an Iranian air defence system near Qeshm Island in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported hearing two explosions in the Suza area of the island.
Describing the operation as “minor”, Trump said US forces destroyed an air defence device Iran had recently built within minutes. He provided no further details about the target. US officials have previously assessed that most of Iran’s air defence systems were destroyed or severely weakened during Israeli strikes in June 2025 and the early stages of the current conflict, but warned that Tehran would gradually rebuild its military infrastructure, news agencies report.
The US also reported carrying out defensive strikes on Monday on Qeshm and Hengam islands and near Bandar Abbas. Friday’s strikes were the first since Trump’s Republican Party suffered major losses in Tuesday’s US midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress.
Voter dissatisfaction over the handling of the war and higher fuel prices contributed to the setback. Trump has since alternated between threatening further action against Iran and suggesting that a resolution could be close.
Meanwhile, Qatar has presented Tehran with proposals aimed at bridging differences with Washington over Iran’s nuclear program. However, Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran is unwilling to resume nuclear negotiations until the US meets several conditions, including ending its blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, providing compensation for war damage and ending regional hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon.
The proposed two-day confidence-building arrangement would involve Washington lifting its blockade and releasing some frozen Iranian funds in return for Tehran allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit nuclear facilities bombed by the US and Israel.
On the second day, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a modified arrangement previously agreed with Oman but not approved by Washington. The temporary mechanism would remain in place until a permanent agreement involving other Gulf countries is reached.
Following these steps, the two countries would begin broader negotiations covering Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and other aspects of its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates that Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, close to the 90 percent level considered weapons-grade. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Diplomatic contacts have intensified across the region. Trump and Qatar’s Emir discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with his Qatari counterpart. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also held talks with his Iraqi and Tunisian counterparts on regional developments and possible negotiations with Washington.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged both sides to show flexibility and pursue compromise, warning against another escalation. Egypt also stressed the importance of political negotiations in discussions with the UAE.
Separately, US Central Command announced a reward of up to $20 million, along with possible relocation, for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, personnel and movements.
