US forces carried out limited strikes on an Iranian air defense system on Qeshm Island on Friday, President Donald Trump said, as Qatar worked to keep negotiations between Washington and Tehran moving. The reported attack raised tensions even as both countries’ representatives remained in contact, according to Associated Press.
Trump described the action as “minor” and said US forces had knocked out an Iranian anti-aircraft device. Iranian state-run media reported that two missiles hit the Suza area of the island but did not identify the targets or report confirmed damage.
Qatar rejected reports that negotiations had collapsed, saying its mediators remained in close coordination with the United States and Iran. Trump also said the talks had made “a lot of progress” and that Tehran wanted a deal.
Nuclear dispute remains a central obstacle
Iran was reviewing proposals presented by Qatar, according to two regional officials cited by AP. One official said Tehran was not prepared to negotiate over its nuclear activities until Washington met conditions Iran wants included in a ceasefire agreement.
Those conditions include ending the US military blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, compensation for war damage and an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Trump has said Iran’s nuclear program must be addressed in any agreement to end the conflict.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, said his country had worked with US officials to contain the crisis and prevent further escalation. “We will never have a perfect peace deal,” he said, arguing that negotiations should pursue a workable agreement rather than wait for ideal conditions.
The strike followed earlier limited US attacks reported on Monday on Qeshm and nearby areas. Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had shot down a US military drone over southern Iran on Friday; the United States did not confirm that claim.
Nicole French