The United States military carried out targeted strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, according to reports citing U.S. officials, even as top administration figures expressed optimism regarding a diplomatic resolution with Tehran.
Washington has pursued a quiet campaign of limited strikes against Iran in recent weeks, intentionally avoiding actions that would signal an intention to escalate into major combat, according to officials cited in the reporting. Qeshm Island, situated off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, has emerged as a focal point due to intelligence indicating that anti-ship missiles, naval mines, drones, and attack craft are housed within its underground tunnel networks.
Despite the ongoing military operations, Vice President JD Vance stated on Monday that the administration remains hopeful about reaching a peaceful agreement. Speaking to CNN, Vance reported that officials perceive strong prospects for a negotiated settlement.
“The president and I both feel really good about the prospect of potentially coming to a negotiated settlement,” Vance said, while cautioning that Iranian leadership remains unpredictable. He noted that President Donald Trump retains both kinetic and non-kinetic options against Tehran, though Washington has not established a formal deadline for concluding a peace deal.
The diplomatic push coincides with explicit warnings regarding Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump stated earlier on Monday that military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, asserting that the administration would not permit a nuclear-armed Iran.
Last month, Trump indicated that military strikes against Iran would be withheld until after the midterm elections, following polling data that showed public support for military action standing at 31%. In a subsequent interview with on Monday night, Trump described the campaign as a necessary detour to dismantle nuclear infrastructure, claiming that U.S. bombing had already neutralized all of Iran’s potential nuclear power. He added that the administration might target Pickaxe Mountain next—an underground nuclear facility located south of the Natanz enrichment plant—stating that the site could be destroyed within an hour.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the administration’s stated preference for diplomacy on Nov. 1, noting that the president favors a diplomatic resolution and would prefer to avoid utilizing military force.
