Seoul Gazette - US Strikes Iranian Targets in Strait of Hormuz Ahead of Midterms

The United States launched targeted strikes against Iranian positions in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, a U.S. official confirmed, in what appeared to be a limited military operation conducted on the eve of crucial midterm elections.

Iranian state media reported hearing explosions on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam, as well as in the nearby mainland area of Bandar Abbas. Unlike previous phases of the conflict, the U.S. did not publicly announce the strikes immediately, though a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that the operation targeted Iranian surface-to-air missile systems used against American forces in the strait.

The timing of the military action has drawn scrutiny given President Donald Trump’s previous public statements that the United States would not launch strikes on Iran before the midterm elections. The ongoing war and its impact on U.S. gasoline prices and broader economic stability have been cited as significant political vulnerabilities for the Republican Party as it seeks to maintain control of Congress.

The military move coincided with Iranian assertions that it had formulated a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply flows during peacetime, and to resume nuclear talks with the United States. Tehran has stated that ships passing through the reopened strait would be required to follow a route agreed upon by Iran and Oman, while also demanding the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil sales and a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.

Diplomatic channels remain active despite the military escalation. Back-channel negotiations have been ongoing as Israel and other Middle Eastern allies lobby President Trump regarding the path forward in the more than eight-month-old conflict, which has disrupted the global economy and caused significant damage within Iran.

Speaking to reporters on Monday before the confirmation of the strikes, Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the potential for a diplomatic resolution. "Trump and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement," Vance said.

The Trump administration’s last known major attacks occurred in early September. Since then, thousands of U.S. troops have remained in waters off Iran to enforce a naval blockade aimed at preventing tankers carrying Iranian oil from reaching global markets. Additionally, a third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are being deployed to the Middle East region.

Regional observers remain on edge regarding the prospect of the United States resuming full-scale operations against Iran, with the new strikes likely to renew existing concerns about further escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly pushed for another wave of strikes on Iran following the U.S. elections, according to two regional officials and a third person familiar with the matter.

Analysts suggest that a return to full-scale war with Iran could assist Netanyahu in forming an emergency government after he and his far-right allies lost their parliamentary majority in last week’s Israeli elections. President Trump has alternated between threatening major military strikes and advocating for a diplomatic deal with Tehran.

Officials familiar with the diplomatic efforts stated that mediators are attempting to advance a framework wherein Iran ceases its attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. More talks are planned for this week, though the officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the classified nature of the briefings they received from American and Israeli sources.

Iranian state television quoted Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the country’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, as stating on Tuesday that Iran had "delivered a firm and rational response to the American side." He added, "The ball is now in America’s court to prevent war," though it was not immediately clear which specific response he was referencing.

Qalibaf also warned that Iran’s armed forces remain at the highest level of defensive readiness. "If Washington makes another strategic miscalculation, it should know that this time it will face a new battlefield and will find itself even more desperate than it is today," he said.

Iran previously indicated that its plan to reopen the strait could be implemented within a week if the United States met seven specific conditions, including the lifting of the blockade. The current situation leaves the immediate future of the conflict and diplomatic negotiations uncertain as both sides navigate the pressures of domestic politics and regional stability.

F.Kang--SG