US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Vance voices optimism about a deal

Strikes on eve of US midterms reportedly target surface-to-air missiles being used against US assets The ⁠US launched limited strikes on ​Iran’s Qeshm Island late on Monday, hours after the vice-president, JD Vance, said he was optimistic that diplomatic efforts to end the war were moving in the right direction. The strikes, disclosed by Iranians on social media and confirmed by US Central Command (Centcom), came on the eve of crucial midterm elections in which Donald Trump’s Republican party is expected to be punished by voters. Diplomatic mediators believe it will be clear within two days whether the basis for continued indirect talks between the US and Iran exists. Continue reading...

美國在中期選舉前夕對伊朗格什姆島發動有限打擊，稱屬防御性質，同時強調並非更大規模軍事行動的前奏。伊朗稱仍處於戰爭狀態並拒絕將外交政策與別國選舉掛鈎，卡塔爾斡旋下的間接談判能否繼續將在兩天內見分曉。