Nov 03, Kathmandu - The United States struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, even as President Donald Trump indicated that progress was being made in talks to end the eight-month conflict.

The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials, reported that American forces carried out the strike on Qeshm, Iran’s largest island, in the Strait of Hormuz. The report described it as the latest in a series of limited U.S. military actions against Iran in recent weeks.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that five explosions were heard on the island within a short period. Residents said they saw two aircraft in the sky.

The Pentagon was asked for information about the reported strike and referred inquiries to U.S. Central Command. By late Monday, Central Command had not responded to AFP’s request for comment.

U.S. officials have described the recent strikes as defensive, saying they are intended to prevent Iran from expanding its ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The key oil-shipping route has faced disruption since the war began in late February.

The United States has not formally announced the Qeshm strike. The Wall Street Journal said it was not being viewed as a sign that a major military campaign had resumed.

Trump said on Monday, a day before the U.S. midterm elections, that a deal with Iran could be possible. However, the latest strike has renewed attention on tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices—which had surged after Iran disrupted energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz—fell by more than 7% on Monday amid hopes that the conflict could end.