Trump confirms US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, says 'we hit it very nicely'
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States carried out strikes against Iran, describing the operation as a "minor attack" during a telephone interview with Fox News on Tuesday.
His remarks came hours after reports emerged that the US military had conducted limited, defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
"They built an anti-aircraft facility... As soon as it was completed, we hit it last night very nicely," Trump said during an appearance on Fox & Friends.
Asked about the possibility of further military action after the US midterm elections, Trump said he was not looking to escalate the conflict but warned that Washington would respond if necessary.
"I'm not looking to, you know, kill lots of people, but if we have to, we'll have to," he said.
US strikes described as defensive operation
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the previously undisclosed US military operation on Qeshm Island.
According to US officials, the strikes were defensive in nature and intended to prevent Iran from gaining the ability to target commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is one of the world's most critical shipping routes, handling a significant share of global oil shipments.
However, maritime traffic through the strait has been severely disrupted since the Middle East war began in late February.
Meanwhile, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that five explosions were heard in quick succession on Qeshm Island. Some residents also reported spotting two aircraft flying over the island.
Trump says US to stop funding Israel by year-end
During the same interview, Trump also revealed that he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end direct US financial assistance to Israel by the end of 2026.
The announcement comes amid Washington's existing 10-year security assistance agreement with Israel, which provides $3.8 billion in annual military assistance through 2028.
"Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping," Trump said.
"We've already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel. Now we'll help Israel if they need it," he added.
Netanyahu pushing for fresh action against Iran
The latest US strikes come amid reports that Netanyahu has been pressing Trump to consider renewed military action against Iran following the US midterm elections.
Trump, however, has publicly played down the prospect of a return to a full-scale war, while repeatedly suggesting that a diplomatic agreement with Tehran remains possible.
The latest operation on Qeshm Island nevertheless raises fresh questions about Washington's military strategy in the region and the possibility of further escalation in the already volatile Middle East.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
