Strikes Hit Iran Day Before Midterms

The United States military launched airstrikes on Iranian targets on Monday, the day before Election Day. President Donald Trump had declared a few weeks earlier that the U.S. would not attack Iran before the midterms. U.S. officials described the actions as defensive strikes. They confirmed the operation after Iranian state media reported explosions on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam. Those islands are located in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports also placed blasts in the nearby mainland area of Bandar Abbas.

An anonymous U.S. official told PBS News that the strikes targeted Iranian units using surface-to-air missiles. The official said these systems were being used against U.S. forces in the strait. This recent air campaign is part of a pattern. U.S. forces have launched airstrikes in the Middle East in recent weeks without immediate public disclosure. The Washington Post noted that this approach fits with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tendency to withhold information that could hurt the president or the Republican Party.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded on Tuesday. He accused the U.S. of ongoing aggression but said diplomatic talks would continue through Qatari mediators. Speaking via the Tasnim News Agency, Gharibabadi stated that Tehran retains the right to self-defense. He added that the country is prepared for any scenario.

The timing of the strikes aligns with a sharp drop in presidential support. A Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos poll from last month found Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent. In that survey, 65 percent of respondents said it was a mistake for Trump to start the war. The conflict and rising gas prices are cited as key reasons for the loss of support. PBS reported that Monday’s airstrikes occurred days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed Trump for more military action.

Trump discussed the U.S.-Israel relationship in a telephone interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade. Trump said he has a 99 percent approval rating in Israel. He joked that if people got tired of him in the U.S., he would move to Israel and become prime minister. The conversation also covered financial aid. Trump revealed that the U.S. is giving Israel four billion dollars but that the funding gets cut off at the end of the year.

When Kilmeade asked why the money is being given, Trump explained that the Israelis do not need it. He said Netanyahu brought up the matter and suggested it would be appropriate to stop receiving aid. The exchange highlighted the financial flow between the two governments. It also underscored the political stakes ahead of the midterms. The four billion dollar figure represents a substantial portion of the annual defense budget discussions currently underway in Congress.

The strikes mark a shift in how the Pentagon communicates with the public. Previous operations were announced promptly, but recent actions have been delayed. This silence has drawn scrutiny from both parties. The timing places the military action directly in the path of voters deciding on congressional seats. The U.S. military continues to operate in the region, maintaining a presence in the Strait of Hormuz.

The diplomatic channel through Qatar remains open despite the explosions. Gharibabadi’s comments on Tuesday signaled that talks are not finished. The U.S. side has not released a detailed statement on the long term goals of the strikes. For now, the focus remains on the immediate military response and the upcoming election cycle. The four billion dollar aid package stands as a defined financial commitment that expires at year end.