Explosion sounds reported on Iran's Qeshm Island, U.S. claims destruction of Iranian missile launcher
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 3 - Multiple explosions were heard on Geshm Island in southern Iran in the early hours of the 3rd. U.S. media reported that the U.S. military launched an attack on Geshm Island, destroying Iranian missile launchers.
According to Iranian media reports, around 12:30 AM local time on the 3rd, several explosions were heard on Geshm Island. Residents in places like Abbas Port heard the explosions. Additionally, explosions were also reported in the waters near Lengeh Port in southern Iran.
The Wall Street Journal cited U.S. officials as saying that the U.S. military attacked Geshm Island, marking the latest in a series of "limited strikes" against Iran in recent weeks. U.S. officials described the strikes as "defensive," aimed at preventing Iran from attacking merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Unlike the early stages of the conflict, the U.S. did not publicly announce these strikes. One official stated that the U.S. deliberately kept a low profile to avoid sending any signals of an intention to resume large-scale military operations.
According to Fox News, a senior U.S. official stated that this was a response to Iran firing at U.S. military aircraft, rather than the beginning of a new large-scale strike operation.
Other U.S. media reported that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles from Geshm Island at a U.S. military aircraft on the night of the 2nd. U.S. fighter jets subsequently took "defensive measures," destroying the Iranian surface-to-air missile launchers.
Geshm Island is located on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, close to the Iranian coast. The Wall Street Journal reported that the island has large underground missile launch sites, a naval base, and a large seawater desalination plant. The U.S. had previously listed the island as a target for attack during earlier conflicts and had discussed plans to seize the island.
On the 2nd, Eastern Time, U.S. President Trump stated that he was "not in a hurry" to decide whether to restart military action against Iran. Trump has recently threatened to resume military strikes against Iran. U.S. media reported that the U.S. military is prepared for a new round of large-scale strikes against Iran, and Trump may issue orders for action after the November midterm elections.
The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on Geshm Island on November 3, 2023, destroying Iranian missile launchers. Explosions were reported in Geshm Island and nearby Abbas and Rongar Ports. This action was described as a defensive measure following missile fire from Iranian forces at a U.S. aircraft.
- U.S. military attacked Geshm Island on November 3, 2023.
- Explosions were reported on Geshm Island and nearby areas.
- The strikes were described as defensive actions against Iranian threats.
- Iranian forces fired missiles at a U.S. aircraft prior to the strikes.
- The U.S. has previously targeted Geshm Island due to its military significance.