West Asia Conflict / Iran Claims Interception of Three US Drones Near Strait of Hormuz

Tehran, Nov 3: Fresh tensions have surfaced in the Persian Gulf after Iran claimed to have intercepted three US drones near the Strait of Hormuz, while reports suggested Washington carried out covert strikes on the strategically important Qeshm Island as part of an ongoing military campaign against Tehran.

According to the IRGC, two MQM-170 Outlaw drones were intercepted over Qeshm Island, while an MQ-9 Reaper drone was brought down in waters east of the Strait of Hormuz. The claims came as reports emerged of US strikes targeting Iran's strategic Qeshm Island.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the United States carried out attacks on Qeshm Island on Monday. The report described the operations as the latest in "a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out against the country in recent weeks as President Trump touted the possibility of a diplomatic deal."

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According to the newspaper, the United States has been conducting smaller military operations against Iran for several weeks. Explosions were reportedly observed around Qeshm Island on Monday, with some US officials characterising the attacks as defensive measures aimed at preventing Iran from freely targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Unlike previous phases of the conflict, Washington has not publicly acknowledged the latest operations. The report said US officials intentionally kept the campaign out of public view to avoid signalling a return to large-scale military action.

Speaking to Axios, US President Donald Trump indicated that no immediate decision had been taken on further military action. "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially. They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said diplomatic efforts had intensified but warned that any further US military escalation would provoke a "far more bitter and severe" response.

Adding to the tensions, several explosions of unknown origin were reported early Tuesday on Qeshm Island. Residents on nearby Hengam Island and in the port city of Bandar Abbas also reportedly heard blasts, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

(IANS)