US says it conducted defensive strikes against Iran on eve of midterm elections

The U.S. military launched defensive strikes against Iran on Monday night, marking the first attacks in two months on the eve of the midterm elections.U.S. forces targeted Qeshm Island, which is home to Tehran’s military infrastructure. The specific targets in the strikes were “Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets,” the Associated Press reported. The latest blitz does not mark the return to war, as multiple reports said the attacks were limited.The timing of Monday’s military operation contradicts remarks previously made by President Donald Trump. Last month, the president said U.S. officials had been engaged in “productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Over the weekend, Trump said the possibility of more strikes following the elections remains on the table, saying that despite previous military action, “we still have to take care of, I would say, one or two sites,” adding that there are plans in place to address the remaining infrastructure.The war with Iran has proven to be a major obstacle for Republicans as they seek to maintain control of Congress in the midterm elections. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, making gas prices a top concern for voters.Earlier on Monday, Trump delivered remarks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and returned to his previous characterization that the conflict is “not a war.”“We had a war with Iran. We won,” Trump said. “I don’t know if you even call it a war because we haven’t been doing any fighting for months. We control the Strait of Hormuz, strongly control it.”Delivering his final speech before voters cast their ballots, Trump said he “hopes people recognize” how oil prices have decreased since the war ignited in February.TRUMP TOUTS ‘RECORD’ DROP IN OIL PRICES ON ELECTION EVE, SAYS IRAN ‘WANTS A SETTLEMENT’“I hope people recognize that when they go into the voting booth because we have to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon,” he said.Following his remarks, Trump posted to Truth Social that there was a “record” decrease in oil prices, and that Iran “wants a settlement.” He has said on numerous occasions that Iran is “begging” for a deal, but recently said he is not “in that much of a hurry” to reach a peace deal. He said the lack of urgency is due to the destruction of Iran’s military.