Trump launches attack on Iran on eve of midterm elections... as it's revealed US has been secretly striking regime for weeks

Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island following the strikes. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that 'Iranians using surface to air missiles against U.S. assets' had been targeted. The strikes appeared to be limited as opposed to a return to full hostilities.

The timing of the strikes is particularly significant as they come just one day before Tuesday's midterm elections. The unpopular war and its impact on US gasoline prices and other parts of the economy have been a vulnerability for Republicans as they try to keep control of Congress.

The region remains on edge about the prospects of the US resuming full-scale operations against Iran, and the new strikes are certain to raise fresh concerns. The Wall Street Journal first reported the strikes earlier.

Trump's 'soft war' stance

President Trump has previously stated that the US would not launch new strikes on Iran before the midterms. During a Fox News interview Monday, Trump addressed the conflict, saying: 'We had a war with Iran. We won.' He questioned whether the current situation even qualified as a war.

Trump compared the current Middle East conflict to historic US battles overseas in the 20th Century, asking rhetorically: 'Take a look at World War I, World War II, there's fighting. When was the last time you saw us fighting with them? We go months and months.'

Strategic objectives and troop movements

According to officials, the strikes were specifically meant to stop Iran from being able to attack allied ships in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The administration was last known to have carried out some attacks in early September.

Thousands of US troops remain in the waters off Iran to maintain a naval blockade aimed at preventing tankers carrying Iranian oil from reaching the global market. Additionally, a third aircraft carrier and thousands of more troops are en route to the Middle East, indicating continued military buildup in the region.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Earlier Monday, Vice President JD Vance expressed measured optimism that a deal could still be struck to prevent Trump from ordering additional strikes after the midterm elections. Vance sent a letter to Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, last week, though the White House has provided few details about its contents.

Trump told reporters the letter focused on assisting Iran with 'medical supplies and various things.' Vance, however, indicated progress in negotiations: 'We've had a number of good conversations with the Iranians. I actually just spoke with the president of the United States about an hour ago about this. Look, the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement.'

These diplomatic efforts are occurring while Israel and some Middle East allies lobby Trump on the way forward in the conflict that has rattled global markets and caused significant damage to Iran's economy. Iran wants guarantees that the US will implement its side of any agreement, particularly after the US and Israel have twice attacked Iran during previous nuclear negotiations.

Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, recently met with military commanders and emphasized that Iran's response to 'any kind and level of threat' from the US or Israel should be immediate and without 'geographic limits,' while urging an expansion of potential targets.