IranStrike and Bridge: A Second Limited US Strike Hits Qeshm, Trump Says Iran Wants a Deal, and a Blockade-for-Inspectors Bridge Takes Shape
Day 252 in one line: the United States struck Qeshm for the second time in five days and called it minor, while the outline of a bridge deal — the blockade lifted in exchange for inspectors at the bombed sites — came into view.
Qeshm, Again
President Trump said the US military carried out new limited strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting an Iranian air defence system, and described them as minor. Iranian state media reported two missile strikes in the Suza area of Qeshm Island shortly before he spoke. The AP noted these were the first US strikes since the November 3 midterm elections; the US military had carried out what it called defensive strikes on Qeshm on Monday, November 2.
The Bridge
Officials told the AP that Qatari mediators and Iranian officials were discussing a bridge deal to get to nuclear talks: the US would lift its blockade and release some of the billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, and in return Tehran would allow IAEA inspectors at its sites bombed by the US and Israel and embark on extensive talks on its highly enriched uranium stockpile and other aspects of its programme. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani presented a two-stage framework in which Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz on the second day, urged negotiators not to wait for a perfect agreement, and Doha rejected reports that the talks had failed. Iran was reported to have submitted a formal nuclear proposal through Qatar, which Washington was reviewing; its text was not published. Trump and the Qatari emir discussed regional de-escalation.
[AP via WISH-TV] [Investing.com] [GlobalSecurity/Fox/Al Jazeera]
"A Lot of Progress"
Trump told reporters several times that his administration was talking to Iran’s representatives: "They want to make a deal," he said, adding that the US had made a lot of progress, without details. He had met his national security team on Iran on Thursday, their first discussion since the midterms, and said a decision would come soon. GlobalSecurity, citing Fox News, said Central Command was reportedly finalising preparations for possible resumed major operations. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme offered up to $20 million for information on Iran’s nuclear programme.
[Al Jazeera via Yahoo] [AND Magazine] [GlobalSecurity] [Outlook India]
The Strait
The IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz unsafe and closed to vessels not coordinating with Tehran, reported two more tankers burning on November 6 and a further tanker hitting a mine east of the strait, and exempted vessels from China, India, Qatar and Iraq from some restrictions. Another tanker reported an explosion near its waterline while crossing the strait, with its crew safe. Oil prices rebounded slightly after their post-election fall, CBS reported. The IRGC claims have not been independently verified.
Status Assessment
Tracker status holds at WAR RESUMED. Day 252 shows Washington’s method in miniature: a second limited strike on Iranian air defences in five days, called minor, alongside a President describing progress and a bridge deal — blockade relief and frozen funds for IAEA access — that mediators are now discussing. The IRGC still claims control of who passes the strait. No ceasefire is in force.