US President Donald Trump confirms limited American strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, saying a newly installed Iranian anti-aircraft system was destroyed within minutes.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: The United States has carried out fresh military strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, with US President Donald Trump confirming that American forces destroyed an Iranian air defence system during the operation.
Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump described the attacks as “minor strikes”, saying the Iranian military had recently built an anti-aircraft system that US forces knocked out within minutes.
“They knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five,” Trump said, according to media reports.
US targets Iranian air defence installation
Trump’s remarks came after reports of explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, located in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media reported that two projectiles struck the area on Friday night. The US president subsequently confirmed that American forces had conducted limited strikes against an Iranian air defence target.
However, Washington has not publicly released detailed operational information about the target or the extent of the damage.
Iran claims it shot down US drone
Meanwhile, Iran’s military claimed that its air defence forces intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island.
According to Iranian state media, the aircraft was targeted using advanced air defence systems operating within the country’s integrated defence network.
The US has not independently confirmed Iran’s claim about the drone.
Strategic importance of Qeshm Island
Qeshm is Iran’s largest island and lies close to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for international oil and gas shipments.
The island’s location gives it considerable strategic importance for monitoring maritime activity and military movements in the Gulf region.
Any further escalation around Qeshm could raise additional concerns about maritime security and regional stability.
US-Iran tensions continue amid diplomatic efforts
The latest strikes come as Washington and Tehran remain engaged in efforts to explore a possible diplomatic settlement.
Qatar has continued mediation between the two countries, with its prime minister indicating that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent further regional escalation.
Trump has also said that discussions with Iran are continuing and expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
