Overview
- U.S. officials said forces carried out a limited strike on Qeshm Island Monday as a defensive response after Iranian fire at an American aircraft.
- The operation is the latest in a series of small, often covert U.S. actions meant to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten ships and U.S. assets in the Gulf.
- Iranian leaders said they issued a firm, measured reply and warned the United States to choose peace while remaining ready to fight.
- President Trump combined public diplomatic language about a possible deal with explicit warnings of further strikes, naming Fordow as a potential target.
- Markets reacted quickly, with Brent crude moving above $106 a barrel, underscoring how strikes at Qeshm—home to missile and naval infrastructure—can ripple through global energy supplies.