US strikes Iran as fears of renewed war grow

• US forces launch limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, raising fears of a wider confrontation.
• Qatar intensifies mediation as Washington and Tehran remain far apart on a deal to end the war.

The United States has carried out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about a renewed escalation even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a return to full-scale war.

The strikes took place late Monday, November 2, following reports that Iranian forces had fired at a US aircraft, according to US officials cited by several American media outlets.

The operation targeted Iranian military positions, including surface-to-air missile systems, officials said. Washington described the action as defensive, stressing that it did not signal a return to major combat operations.

The latest strikes come amid growing uncertainty over the future of the conflict, which began on February 28 with US and 'Israeli' attacks on Iran.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had made progress in indirect negotiations and expressed optimism about reaching a diplomatic settlement.

President Donald Trump has also indicated that an agreement remains possible, while warning that further military action cannot be ruled out.

Trump has separately raised the possibility of targeting Iran's underground nuclear facilities, including the suspected Pickaxe Mountain complex.

Tehran, however, says the two sides remain far from reaching an agreement.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that Washington must meet several Iranian demands, including:

• Lifting US oil sanctions.
• Ending the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
• Releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Iran has also linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to an agreement on these conditions, while proposing that nuclear negotiations resume at a later stage.

Qatar has intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating again.

Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Monday night to discuss a draft agreement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, following indirect negotiations in Doha.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that mediators were working to narrow differences between the two sides, although no breakthrough had been reached.

The strategic waterway remains one of the biggest obstacles to de-escalation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption threatens energy supplies, increases shipping costs and puts further pressure on global markets.

Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday after falling sharply in the previous session, reflecting uncertainty over the prospects of a diplomatic agreement.

Despite the latest strikes, a return to full-scale fighting is not inevitable.

Both Washington and Tehran continue to engage through diplomatic intermediaries, but their disagreements over sanctions, maritime security and Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.

The combination of limited military strikes, threats of retaliation and ongoing negotiations leaves the region facing two competing possibilities: a negotiated settlement or another major escalation.

For now, diplomacy remains open, but the risk of renewed confrontation has not disappeared.