America bombed Iran while Qatar was negotiating the reopening of the strait

On the eve of the midterm elections, the US military launched strikes on the area around the Strait of Hormuz, just a few hours after Donald Trump stated that the United States is not at war with Iran. At the time of the strikes, reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Qatari-mediated negotiations were still underway, in which Tehran had attached conditions to reopening the strait.

Iranian state media reported explosions on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam, as well as in the area near Bandar Abbas. A US official told Reuters that air-defense missile launchers that Iran had used against American assets on Qeshm were targeted, while another official described the strikes as a limited operation, saying they did not signal a resumption of larger-scale military action. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it had shot down three American drones near the strait, including an MQ-9.

Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran on Monday evening on the draft they have been working on for more than a week, which, according to The Washington Post, is based on Iran halting attacks on ships and Washington lifting the blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran says that if the Americans meet its conditions, it could reopen the strait within two days, and the nuclear talks could also resume. Under Iran's plan, ships would pass through on a route agreed with Oman; Tehran is also seeking the lifting of sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales and a ceasefire that would also extend to Lebanon. As for where ships can go in the meantime, Washington and Tehran give very different accounts. The Americans say the strait's southern routes are mine-free and usable, while Iran has repeatedly warned ships not to take that route. On Tuesday, the Indian government reported that a crew member of a cargo ship had been killed in one of the attacks in the region.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Tuesday that Tehran had already responded to the American side and that it was now up to Washington whether hostilities resumed, though he did not specify which proposal they had responded to. Trump had previously suggested several times that he would resume strikes after the election, but on Monday, when reporters asked whether he planned further strikes following the vote, he said no, adding that a deal could still be reached. According to Reuters, the Qatari mediators are expecting a response from both sides to their latest proposal within 36 hours.

Ugar