War clouds have gathered again over West Asia after a pause of several weeks, as heavy explosions hit Iran’s Qeshm Island even while reports suggested talks between Washington and Tehran were yielding results. International media reported bombs falling at about five locations on the island, with further blasts in Bandar Lengeh, a city near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Residents reportedly saw two warplanes circling overhead during the attacks.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a US MQ-9 drone and two other drones in the vicinity of the strait. Iran also attacked commercial vessels using the waterway, pushing tensions to a peak. The United States said its strikes on Iran were retaliatory and carried out in self-defense.
The developments come as Americans prepare to vote in the midterm elections. International sources said military officials have already briefed President Donald Trump on an action plan, and that full-scale strikes on Iran could follow the polls.
Reports of secret talks between the two sides had recently calmed oil markets, with Brent crude dropping by nearly $10 a barrel. Trump posted on X that there may be no war with Iran and that a peaceful resolution could come soon, while Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about the negotiations. The sudden attacks on Qeshm, however, shocked global markets, and crude oil futures have begun rising again.