Washington: President Donald Trump said the U.S. military on Friday (November 6, 2026) carried out new limited strikes on Iran, targeting an Iranian air defence system.
Iranian state media reported the sound of two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, which sits in the crucial waterway for oil shipments.
‘We Knocked It Out in About 15 Minutes’
Mr. Trump described the military action as “minor” in an exchange with reporters.
“They knocked out — they built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device — and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five,” he told reporters shortly after arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He did not offer further details about the target. U.S. officials have reported that most of Iran’s air defence systems were destroyed or severely degraded during a June 2025 bombardment by Israel and in the early stages of the current conflict, and have assessed that Iran would try to rebuild them over time.
First Strikes Since Midterms
The U.S. military also reported carrying out what it described as defensive strikes on Monday (November 2). Explosions were heard on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and in the nearby mainland area of Bandar Abbas.
Friday’s strikes are the first since Mr. Trump’s Republican Party was dealt a stunning repudiation in Tuesday’s (November 3) midterm elections. The electoral setback was stoked in part by voter dissatisfaction with Mr. Trump’s execution of the conflict and elevated fuel prices, a byproduct of the war that has affected nearly every sector of the global economy.
In the days since, Mr. Trump has vacillated between threatening to “destroy” Iran and suggesting a resolution is near.
Qatar’s Bridge Proposal
Earlier on Friday, officials from two West Asian governments said Iran is reviewing proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the U.S. about Tehran’s nuclear programme.
But one official stressed that Iran, at least for now, remains unwilling to engage in negotiations with the Trump administration over its atomic activities until the U.S. agrees to several core conditions.
According to regional officials, the Qatari proposal calls for trust-building measures over two days:
- Day one: Lifting the U.S. blockade and releasing some of the billions in frozen Iranian funds. In return, Tehran would allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors at sites bombed by the U.S. and Israel.
- Day two: Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a modified agreement reached with Oman but not yet approved by the U.S. — a temporary mechanism until a permanent deal is reached with other Gulf countries.
Following these measures, the U.S. and Iran would embark on extensive talks addressing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and other aspects of its programme.
Iran’s Conditions
Tehran insists on several concessions before engaging in nuclear talks: ending the U.S. blockade on Iran’s ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing its assets, issuing compensation for war damage, and ending hostilities throughout the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful. According to the IAEA, Iran has 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% purity — a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
$20 Million Reward
U.S. Central Command announced late Friday that the United States was offering “a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear programme, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel… or the movement of any of the above.” The post linked to the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme.
The White House declined to comment on the Qatar-presented proposals, but Mr. Trump noted earlier Friday: “We are talking to Iran. We have been.”
Diplomatic Flurry
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke on Friday with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, about developments. Qatar also confirmed a separate call between Mr. Trump and Qatar’s emir on de-escalation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held calls with his Iraqi and Tunisian counterparts, discussing Tehran’s vision for resuming negotiations with the U.S. with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who held two calls with Mr. Araghchi this week, said on X that it was critical both sides demonstrate “flexibility” to achieve “compromise solutions” necessary to prevent a new wave of escalation.
