The United States has launched strikes on Iran’s strategically vital Qeshm Island, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Following the publication by the influential news outlet, Iranian media reported multiple explosions early Tuesday (November 3) across Qeshm Island and Bandar Lengeh in southern Iran.

Citing US officials, Anadolu Agency confirmed the report originally published by The Wall Street Journal.

However, detailed information regarding the cause of the explosions, casualties, or the extent of the damage was not immediately available.

The reports of the strikes come at a time when US President Donald Trump has been downplaying the likelihood of a major new military conflict with Iran following Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (November 2) local time, Trump stated, "We had a war with Iran. We won." He added, "I don’t know if you could even call it a war, because we haven’t been fighting for months."

Despite these remarks, US officials told The Wall Street Journal that American forces have been conducting small-scale strikes against various targets inside Iran over recent weeks.

According to the report, several US officials characterized these military actions as defensive measures.

They asserted that the operations are intended to prevent Iran from building capabilities to attack or threaten commercial maritime traffic in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.