'They put up a small anti-aircraft defense system — we knocked it out in 15, maybe 5 minutes'

US President Donald Trump. [UPI]
US President Donald Trump. [UPI]

The United States struck Qeshm Island, a strategically vital point in the Strait of Hormuz, even as it pursues end-of-war negotiations with Iran through intermediary nations.

President Donald Trump said Friday (local time) that US forces carried out a limited strike targeting Iranian air defense facilities, according to AP and Yonhap.

Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump described the attack as "minor," saying, "They put up a small anti-aircraft defense system — we knocked it out in 15, maybe 5 minutes."

Trump did not elaborate on the specific targets of the strike.

Iranian state media reported that two missiles struck the Suza area of Qeshm Island, which sits along a major oil shipping route.

Iran's military claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Qeshm Island. The United States has not confirmed the claim.

The strike came after Trump's Republican Party suffered a major defeat in the midterm elections.

US forces had also conducted a defensive strike targeting Qeshm Island and other sites Monday, the day before the midterm elections.

The back-to-back US strikes and Iran's moves to rebuild its air defense infrastructure are seen as attempts by both sides to strengthen their bargaining positions in ongoing end-of-war talks.

The United States and Iran are exploring a path to ending hostilities through mediation by Qatar and other countries.

Even as reports of the missile strikes emerged, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that "we're doing very well with Iran — we're talking to Iran, and we have been talking," Reuters and other outlets reported. Trump did not identify who the US was speaking with, what was being discussed, or how the contacts were being made.


cook@heraldcorp.com