US strikes Iran in quiet campaign before midterms, WSJ reports

The U.S. struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday as part of a series of limited attacks that Washington has quietly carried out in recent weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials.

Officials described the strikes as defensive and said the campaign has been kept secret to avoid signaling a broader resumption of hostilities while negotiations with Iran continue.

The report comes as President Donald Trump publicly downplayed the likelihood of renewed war with Iran after the midterm elections.