Washington (United States) (AFP) - The United States carried out limited strikes targeting the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, according to what American media reported, while Iranian media reported five successive explosions.

Published on: 03/11/2026 - 11:19

In light of intense diplomatic efforts being made in recent days to reach a settlement that would avoid a new round of escalation, Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stressed on Tuesday that the ball is in Washington’s court to “avoid war,” hours after US President Donald Trump spoke about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran.

The strikes came at a time when American voters were preparing to cast their votes in the midterm presidential elections that threaten Trump's grip on power.

The strikes, which were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, targeted the strategic island of Qeshm, located in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Wall Street Journal, CNN, the New York Times, and other media outlets quoted unnamed American officials as saying that the attacks were defensive.

For its part, the Wall Street Journal indicated that it falls within the framework of a series of strikes carried out secretly by the United States against Iran, and that they were not officially announced to avoid giving the impression that Washington intends to resume broad military operations.

The US Army's Central Command (CENTCOM) has not yet responded to AFP's request for comment.

On the other hand, the Israeli army denied any involvement. In response to a question from Agence France-Presse about Israel’s participation in attacks on the island located in the Strait of Hormuz, an army spokesman said, “No.”

In turn, the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, announced five successive explosions that rocked Qeshm, while residents reported seeing two planes flying overhead. The agency did not explain the cause of the explosions.

The war began with American-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. A memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran collapsed in June shortly after it was concluded, and the two sides subsequently exchanged blows without resuming large-scale hostilities.

Trump said on Monday evening that an agreement could be reached with Iran, on the eve of the start of the midterm elections in the United States, where the war is not very popular, especially in light of the inflation it has caused and the rise in prices of energy resources.

Trump wrote on his “Truth Social” platform, “Iran wants to reach a settlement as soon as possible. It may happen!”

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced indirect negotiations taking place with the United States.

He told the official media, "Given the sensitivity and seriousness of the current situation, consultations and talks are very intense."

On Tuesday, Iran's chief negotiator, Speaker of the Shura Council, Qalibaf, said that Iran was "ready" for war, but that it "also provided a strong and rational response to the American side." He added, "The ball is now in America's court to avoid war."

"Some progress"

In turn, US Vice President Jay DeVance expressed his optimism with Trump about the possibility of concluding an agreement.

“We have already made some progress, and we will see if we can achieve more,” he told reporters on Monday.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell by more than seven percent on Monday amid optimism about the possibility of putting an end to the conflict that has been going on for eight months.

It also called on China to return to the diplomatic track, while Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, discussed the situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call.

Axios reported last week that Vance had sent a message to Rezaei about possible new talks, the highest-level move in months.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif said that the messages received from Washington are "an acknowledgment of our victory."

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran is ready to reopen Hormuz, which is a major corridor for global oil and gas supplies, within two days, provided that the United States agrees to its list of demands.

In September, Iran proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait, in response to demands that included a ceasefire on all fronts in the region, the release of its frozen assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector, and an end to the US naval blockade of its ports.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said during a press conference in Tehran on Monday that “the possibility of implementing this plan within two days is further evidence of Iran’s good faith.”

"hard hit"

For its part, China held meetings with Iranian and Saudi officials in Beijing on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed on Monday during a meeting with Deputy Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri, that “China supports Iran in protecting its sovereignty and security,” according to a statement issued by the Chinese side.

In an interview with Al Jazeera Network that was broadcast on Sunday, Araqchi said that Washington must agree to a new route that was agreed upon between Iran and Oman, for ships to cross in the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that the United States must also lift the sanctions imposed in recent months and reduce the number of American forces in the region.

For his part, Trump continued to threaten Tehran, saying on Sunday that the United States may have to strike a "strong strike" against Iran.

He reported on Saturday that he still has to "deal with" one or two sites, one of which is Mount Kulang, located in Isfahan province, which is suspected to contain a nuclear site buried deep underground, even though Tehran denies that this is the case.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned of widespread retaliation if the United States resumes the war.

© 2026 AFP

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