Iranian state media reported that two missiles struck the Suza area of Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening. According to a statement by the Iranian army broadcast by state television IRIB, air defense forces shot down a U.S. MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle over the island.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the attack while speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida: “We are carrying out small-scale strikes. They had set up a small anti-aircraft system, and we neutralized it in about 15, perhaps 5 minutes.” Trump did not respond to the claim that the drone had been shot down.
A U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) official said they were aware of the reports and that the situation was “relatively calm.” CENTCOM later announced that it was offering rewards of up to $20 million and resettlement opportunities to people who provide information about Iran’s nuclear program, its facilities and the scientists working on the program.
The attack was the first against Iran since the Nov. 3 midterm elections in the United States. Trump said they had been holding talks with representatives of Tehran, adding: “They want to make a deal. We have made a lot of progress with Iran.” Majid al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, also denied reports that negotiations between the United States and Iran had failed, saying such claims served only those seeking to prolong the war.
Iranian media also reported explosions on Qeshm on Monday, while the U.S. press described those attacks as “defensive strikes” in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Pentagon sources cited by The New York Times, thousands of U.S. troops stationed on dozens of ships and at bases in the region are standing by to resume large-scale operations on Trump’s orders.
