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US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island before midterm elections

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Ongoing: US mid-terms Hot

US forces hit targets on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, and Washington described the action as defensive. The strike came as the Republicans struggled to defend the war against Iran on the campaign trail.

The strike took place on 2 November, on the eve of the US midterm elections. Washington said the move was defensive.

President Donald Trump and the Republicans have found it hard to defend the war against Iran in their campaigns. Reports say the war is unpopular.

Key facts

Who
Trump (US president, referred to in the article as leading the Republicans' campaign…); Republicans (US political party defending the war on the campaign trail)
What
US forces hit targets on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, in what Washington described as a defensive move. The article says Trump and the Republicans have struggled to defend the unpopular war against Iran on the campaign trail.
When
2 November 2026
Where
Qeshm Island, Strait of Hormuz, Iran
Status
Reported

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