US Military Carries Out New Strike as Iran Weighs Proposals

Washington – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – The US military carries out new limited strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. He said American forces hit Iran’s air defense systems early in the day.

Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, which sits in the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is vital for global oil shipments. Local witnesses told IRNA that an aircraft was heard over the island before two projectiles landed.

Earlier on Friday night, Iranian media said the Revolutionary Guard shot down a US MQ-1 Predator drone over Qeshm.

Trump called the action small. He said Iran had built a little anti-aircraft device and that US forces destroyed it in about 15 minutes, maybe even five.

This is not the first clash this week. On Monday, the US military said it carried out defensive strikes. Explosions were heard on Qeshm, Hengam and near Bandar Abbas on the mainland.

Saturday’s strikes are the first since Tuesday’s midterm elections. Republicans lost both chambers of Congress. Many voters were unhappy with how the war was handled and with high fuel prices.

Since then, Trump has sent mixed signals. At times he warned he could destroy Iran. At other times he hinted that peace may be near.

Qatar, the main mediator, has given Iran new proposals on its nuclear program. Two regional officials said Tehran is reviewing them. However, Iran will not discuss nuclear issues until the US meets several demands. These include ending the port blockade, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, paying for war damage and stopping attacks across the region.

A possible bridge deal is also being discussed. It would build trust over two days. The US would lift the blockade and free some frozen funds. In return, Iran would let UN nuclear inspectors visit bombed sites and then reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

After that, both sides would hold wider talks on Iran’s enriched uranium. The UN nuclear watchdog says Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

Meanwhile, leaders across the Gulf and beyond have held many calls to cool tensions. The war is now more than eight months old.