US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that American forces had struck Iran “last night”, hours after reports of an attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and on the same day as Americans voted in high-stakes midterm elections.
During the same interview, Trump also announced that the US would end $4 billion in funding to Israel after the end of this year. (AP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Speaking on Fox News’ ‘Fox & Friends’, Trump said, “They built an anti-aircraft facility... As soon as it was completed, we hit it last night very nicely.” He described the strike as a “minor attack”.
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
During the same interview, Trump also announced that the US would end $4 billion in funding to Israel after the end of this year. These remarks came on Election Day, which pollsters suggested could be a setback for Trump, as Democrats were projected to win the House of Representatives and had a chance of gaining control of the Senate, according to several media reports.
Trump on Iran strikes
Deep Dive
What did the US reportedly strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island?
Trump said US forces struck an anti-aircraft facility after it was completed. Media reports, citing unnamed US officials, described the strikes on Qeshm Island as defensive.
Why did the US say it struck Qeshm Island?
Trump said the target was an anti-aircraft facility. A US official cited by CNN said the strike was a defensive measure after Iranian forces used surface-to-air missiles against US assets in the Strait of Hormuz.
How did Iran respond to the reported US strikes on Qeshm Island?
A senior Iranian official said Tehran was prepared to respond forcefully if the US continued striking. President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was still seeking to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
Powered ByAsk HT
During the interview, Trump said, “I'm not looking to, you know, kill lots of people, but if we have to, we'll have to. But I'm not looking to do that. And we're very strong right now.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
He described Iran as the “number one state sponsor of terror in the world” and the “meanest”. He added, “I see why the Middle East was afraid of them. They're very tough, but they've been decapitated."
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
He described Iran as the “number one state sponsor of terror in the world” and the “meanest”. He added, “I see why the Middle East was afraid of them. They're very tough, but they've been decapitated."
{{/usCountry}}
"They have no airplanes. They have no anti-aircraft. We took some out last night. It's just a minor attack. It wasn't war. They built an anti-aircraft facility. It took them about two months. We watched it get built, as soon as it was completed, we hit it last night very nicely,” he said.
Trump’s remarks come after Qeshm Island attack reports
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that American forces had struck Iran's Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA also reported several explosions on Qeshm Island, near the entrance to the strait.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Unnamed US officials quoted by The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The New York Times and other media outlets described the strikes as defensive in nature. The Journal reported that the attack was the latest in a series of strikes that had not been publicly announced.
Qeshm Island is reportedly home to a large underground missile facility, a naval base and a major desalination plant. The US has struck the island in previous rounds of fighting, while officials have also discussed the possibility of seizing it.
The US and Israel began their war with Iran with a large wave of strikes in late February. The conflict has remained at a stalemate for months.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries along with latest US midterm elections update. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries along with latest US midterm elections update. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Home/World News/‘Hit it very nicely’: Trump says US struck Iran after reports of attack on Qeshm Island
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Notifications
Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom
Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks
