US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island before midterms

The United States launched limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday ahead of the US midterm elections. 

US officials told CBS, the BBC's US partner. While the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported several explosions on the island. The officials said the strikes responded to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft. 

The strikes come before midterm polls that will determine whether the Republicans or Democrats control Congress. President Donald Trump faces falling polling numbers and pressure from within his party to end the war, which began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.

Earlier on Monday, Trump told reporters he was in 'no rush' to ramp up strikes, and he said 'no' when asked if significant attacks would resume after the midterms. 

He told Axios that Washington would act one way or another after financially crippling Iran, leaving the country without money or gasoline and its people tired.

However, Trump told Fox News on the eve of the elections that the US might need to target 'Pickaxe', a site linked to Iran's nuclear programme. He added that the strike was 'not a big deal' and could be done in 'one hour'.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told IRNA that 'very intensive' talks with the US were under way through mediators to end the war. He said Tehran was prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios 'more than ever before'. 

He also urged Washington to choose the 'wise path' of negotiation over the 'mistake of military aggression'.

Source: BBC