Day 249 | Trump weighs Iran deal as Netanyahu pushes for renewed strikes

The United States struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, carrying out another round of limited military attacks as US President Donald Trump publicly downplayed the prospect of renewed war with Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Citing US officials, the newspaper said the strikes were part of a series of attacks conducted quietly in recent weeks and were intended to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The attacks were not publicly announced, as Washington sought to avoid signaling a return to large-scale military operations.

Qeshm, Iran’s largest island, is strategically located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and hosts an underground missile facility, a naval base and a desalination plant. 

Earlier, Iranian media reported that five explosions were heard on the island. 

The strikes come amid mixed signals from the Trump administration over the possibility of renewed hostilities. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States has already won the war, answering "no" when asked whether he was considering further strikes after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

However, US officials told the Journal that the president continues to weigh military options, with Washington also considering further airstrikes, tighter sanctions and additional trade restrictions.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said he discussed defense cooperation and regional security with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a phone call on Monday.

“In a call with @SecWar, we reviewed the strategic defense cooperation between our two countries,” bin Salman wrote on X.

“We also discussed regional and global developments, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and the continued Houthi terrorist attacks against the Kingdom,” he added.

The call comes amid a renewed escalation in Yemen and a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. On Nov. 2, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile launched towards the Kingdom’s southern region and two drones over Riyadh

• Iran says it has downed 68 US drones since the escalation of hostilities, a figure that remains unverified.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Monday that it had taken control of two US reconnaissance drones and shot down a third military drone near Qeshm Island and the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said its electronic warfare units had infiltrated the control and navigation systems of two US MQM-170 reconnaissance drones operating south of Qeshm Island, bringing both aircraft under Iranian control.

Separately, the force said its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 Reaper drone east of the Strait of Hormuz while it was conducting what it described as operational missions.

The claims come amid heightened military tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the strategic waterway remaining a focal point of their confrontation. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and serves as a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.

Iran has repeatedly claimed to have intercepted or shot down US drones in the region. On Oct. 30, Iranian media reported that the IRGC had seized control of an MQM-170 reconnaissance drone near Qeshm using electronic warfare systems. US Central Command rejected a separate Iranian claim that day that it had captured an American drone.

The IRGC also announced on Oct. 30 that it had shot down a total of 68 US drones since the escalation of hostilities, including 54 MQ-9 Reapers and 14 MQ-1 aircraft. Those figures have not been independently verified.

The MQ-9 Reaper is an American remotely piloted aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as precision strikes. Its long endurance and surveillance capabilities make it a significant asset for US military operations.

The latest announcement follows a series of incidents around Qeshm Island. On Oct. 31, Iranian state media reported that US forces had attacked two fishing boats near the island, citing a provincial official who said one fisherman was wounded. The reported incident was not independently confirmed.

Read more: IRGC says two tankers explode after striking mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that neighboring countries remain a priority in Tehran's foreign policy following his visit to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Monday.

“Strengthening ties with neighbors is an unchanging priority of Iran’s foreign policy,” Araghchi said in a message following the visit.

His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and neighboring countries, including Qatar's mediation between Tehran and Washington.

A Qatari Royal Air Force aircraft departed Tehran early Tuesday, around four hours after arriving in the Iranian capital, amid Doha's ongoing efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported.

The departure follows renewed Qatari diplomatic engagement, with mediators travelling between Tehran and Doha to facilitate indirect negotiations. Reuters reported that Qatari mediators visited Tehran on Monday to discuss a draft agreement between Washington and Tehran.

The latest visit follows three days of consultations between Iranian negotiators and Qatari officials in Doha, which ended Sunday. A source familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the Iranian delegation's departure did not indicate a breakdown in negotiations and that a draft proposal was still circulating.

Qatar has continued efforts to bridge differences between the two sides, but no agreement has been announced.

• Crown Prince Hussein said Saudi Arabia’s security is integral to Jordan’s security and stressed the importance of Gulf security for regional stability.
• He expressed Jordan’s support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to counter attacks targeting its security, sovereignty and citizens.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Monday met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the prime minister of Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, held in Riyadh, His Royal Highness conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah II’s regards to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, as well as his greetings to the Saudi crown prince, and his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the Saudi people.

The Saudi crown prince also conveyed his regards to His Majesty King Abdullah II.

His Royal Highness affirmed Jordan’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and its support for all measures taken to counter attacks targeting its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, emphasising that Saudi Arabia’s security is inseparable from Jordan’s, and that the security of the Gulf states is vital to the stability of the region.

The two sides expressed their pride in the strong historical ties between the two countries and their peoples, and their commitment to broadening the scope of cooperation across all fields.

The meeting also underscored the importance of sustained coordination and consultation in advancing mutual interests and championing Arab and Muslim causes.

The Saudi crown prince hosted a dinner banquet in honour of His Royal Highness and the accompanying Jordanian delegation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.

From the Saudi side, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and Minister of State and Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia member Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al Issa attended the meeting.

Read more: Saudi King, Crown Prince send condolences to Jordan after Karak church attack

• Trump said oil prices had fallen by nearly $10 a barrel, attributing the decline to expectations of a possible settlement with Iran.
• He claimed markets were increasingly confident that another war with Iran could be avoided, adding that Tehran wanted a deal “as soon as possible.”

US President Donald Trump said Monday that oil prices had fallen by nearly $10 a barrel, attributing the decline to growing expectations that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement and avoid another war.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said oil prices were “DROPPING LIKE A ROCK,” describing the reported decline as a record and claiming that markets were responding to expectations of a diplomatic settlement.

“People feel that there will not be a War with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” Trump wrote, adding his presidential signature.

The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic signals between Washington and Tehran, as both sides have indicated openness to a negotiated settlement despite continued tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the possibility of further US military action.

The post followed a sharp decline in crude prices on Monday, Nov.  2, as investors reacted to renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the eight-month US-’Israeli’ war on Iran. Brent crude fell more than 7% during the session, while expectations of reduced risks to energy shipments helped ease concerns about prolonged supply disruptions. 

Vice President JD Vance also said on Monday that he and Trump felt “pretty good” about the prospects for a negotiated settlement, following the disclosure of indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran. 

The diplomatic push has intensified in recent days, with Iranian and Qatari officials holding three consecutive days of discussions in Doha. The talks reportedly focused on proposals to end the conflict and potentially reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which a significant share of the world's oil supply passes. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomatic consultations through mediators had become “very intensive,” while stressing that any progress depended on Washington's willingness to address Tehran's conditions. Iran has previously demanded an end to the US blockade of its ports, sanctions relief and a halt to hostilities across the region. 

Trump, meanwhile, told Axios on Monday that he was in no rush to decide whether to resume military operations against Iran, saying his administration would allow negotiations to continue while retaining the option of further strikes. He also said Tehran was more interested in reaching an agreement than before. 

Despite the renewed diplomatic momentum, a settlement remains uncertain. Major disagreements persist over Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security, while the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in negotiations. Reuters reported that global energy markets were likely to remain volatile amid uncertainty over the outcome of the talks. 

Several explosions were heard in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Lengeh, including blasts coming from the sea, Iranian media reported early Tuesday.

The nature and cause of the blasts remain unclear. No further details have been reported regarding possible casualties, damage or the source of the explosions.

This follows an earlier report of five explosions near Qeshm island.

• The agency said the intensity of the blasts suggested possible strikes on locations inside the island.
• Residents reportedly spotted two aircraft flying over the island.
• No casualties, damage or confirmed targets have been reported.

Iranian media reported early Tuesday five explosions on Qeshm Island in the country’s south, saying the intensity of the blasts suggested that strikes may have hit locations inside the island.

The agency also reported that some residents had observed two aircraft flying over the island’s airspace, although it did not identify the aircraft or provide further details about the reported explosions.

The reports have not independently established the cause of the blasts, the locations struck or whether there were any casualties or damage.

Qeshm is a strategically important Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, near the entrance to the Persian Gulf and close to major shipping routes. Its location has made it a focal point of military activity and tensions between Iran and the United States.

The latest reports come amid renewed military tensions despite diplomatic efforts to end the eight-month conflict. Tehran and Washington have continued exchanging messages through mediators, with Qatar playing a central role in efforts to reach an agreement. A proposed framework reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. 

Qeshm has also featured in previous reports of military activity during the conflict. On Oct. 30, Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had intercepted a drone near the island, while Iran's state news agency reported explosions and possible air-defense activity in the surrounding area. The US military disputed Iranian claims that it had lost control of a drone in a separate incident that week. 

The reports also emerge as the possibility of renewed US military action remains under discussion. US media reports have said ‘Israeli’  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US President Donald Trump to consider another wave of strikes against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, although Trump has not committed to further military action. 

Neither the United States nor ‘Israel’ had immediately commented on the latest reports. The cause of the explosions, the identity of the aircraft and whether any military installations were hit remain unclear.

US Vice President JD Vance said Monday that he and President Donald Trump were optimistic about the prospects of reaching a negotiated agreement with Iran, following Tehran's confirmation of indirect negotiations with Washington.

"The president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement," Vance told reporters, adding that the two sides had made "some progress."

"We'll see if we can make some more," he said, without providing further details on the negotiations.

Vance's remarks signal cautious optimism from the Trump administration as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.