Mohammad Akraminia

Iran's army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia says the country's military is stronger than when the war with the United States began in late February, and that Tehran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington meets its demands. Iran seeks to limit traffic through the strait, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption. The United States offers a $20 million reward for information on Iran's nuclear programme. Two explosions were reported on Qeshm Island in the strait late on Saturday, and the US military says it shot down a drone over the island. Qatar's Prime Minister says mediators have kept the situation from spiralling.

United States forces carried out limited strikes on Iranian targets on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on 2 Nov, according to U.S. officials, who describe them as defensive and aimed at curbing further Iranian attacks in the waterway. Iranian state media IRNA reported explosions on the island. The U.S. Central Command has not publicly announced the strikes, and officials say they do not signal a return to major combat. Qatar has intensified mediation, with Qatari mediators travelling to Tehran, while a senior Iranian official says the two sides remain far apart on a deal to end the war.

US forces struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on 2 Nov, which US officials describe as limited defensive action after Iranian surface-to-air missiles targeted a US aircraft. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says it fired missiles at US aircraft, and Iranian state media IRNA reported several explosions across the island on Monday. Iranian negotiators left the Doha talks with Qatari mediators on 1 Nov, and Iran's foreign ministry says the exit was not caused by problems in the negotiations and that exchanges with Washington continue. A senior Iranian official says a deal remains out of reach. Oil prices rose slightly after the strikes.