US strikes Iran ahead of midterm elections

Notably, the US has introduced strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, US office-holders have informed CBS, the BBC's US partner.

Key points

• The BBC has contacted US Central Command (Centcom), the part of the US military responsible for operations in the Middle East, for comment.
• The US authorities described the strikes as limited and stated they were in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft.
• Earlier on Monday, he remarked to journalists that he was in "no rush" to ramp up strikes on Iran.
• Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi informed the IRNA earlier that "very intensive" negotiations to try and end the war are under way with the US via mediators.
• Iranian state news agency IRNA documented a number of explosions on the island on Monday.

For context, the US authorities described the strikes as limited and stated they were in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing upon a US aircraft.

Meanwhile, the BBC has contacted US Central Command (Centcom), the part of the US military responsible for operations in the Middle East, for comment.

It comes ahead of the US midterm elections. It will determine whether the Republicans or Democrats control Congress.

Trump has been facing falling polling numbers and pressure from within his party to end the war. It began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.

"One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially, " he informed news outlet Axios. "They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it."

He additionally stated the US "might need to go after Pickaxe", a site linked to Iran's nuclear programme, in an interview with Fox News on the eve of the midterm elections.

This was "not a big deal" and could be done in "one hour", Trump continued.

There has been mounting speculation in the last few days that the US may resume significant strikes in Iran again after the midterms. But asked by a reporter on Monday if that was the case, Trump remarked "no".

He additionally stated Tehran was prepared for both diplomatic and military scenarios "more than ever before" and that it was up to the US to choose between a "wise path" of negotiation or the "mistake of military aggression".

For now, US strikes Iran ahead of midterm elections remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.