US strikes Qeshm Island as Iran says it shot down an MQ-9 drone

US President Donald Trump confirmed carrying out what he called “small” strikes against an air defense system on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Iranian military said it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the island.

Iranian state media reported Friday evening that two missiles had landed in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for oil shipments. State television broadcast a statement from the Iranian military saying that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the island.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, telling reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida: “We are doing small strikes. They built a small anti-aircraft system, so we destroyed it in about 15 minutes, maybe five.” He did not comment on the account of the drone being shot down.

An official with US Central Command (CENTCOM) told Al Jazeera that they were aware of the reports and that the situation was “relatively calm,” without providing further comment. CENTCOM later announced a reward of up to $20 million, with possible relocation, for information about Iran’s nuclear program, its facilities and its personnel.

طائرة مسيّرة أمريكية من طراز MQ-9 ريبر (صورة أرشيفية)

These were the first strikes since the US midterm elections on Tuesday. Trump said Washington was “dealing” with representatives of Tehran and that the Iranians “want a deal,” adding: “We have made great progress with Iran.” Qatar, for its part, denied reports that talks between Washington and Tehran had failed. Its Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, said promoting such claims “serves only those seeking to prolong the war and destabilize the region.”

Iranian media had reported explosions in Qeshm on Monday, while US media referred to “defensive strikes” in the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times cited Pentagon officials as saying that thousands of US troops aboard more than 10 ships and at bases in the region were ready to resume major combat operations against Iran on Trump’s orders.

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