The United States has carried out secret military strikes against targets in Iran for several weeks, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Citing government officials, the newspaper said the American armed forces chose not to announce the attacks publicly, in a clear contrast to earlier phases of the war.
Officials familiar with the operation explained that Washington intentionally avoided publicising the actions. They said the silence aimed to prevent signalling any American intention to resume full-scale hostilities between the two nations.
The report follows accounts that American forces launched limited strikes late on the evening of 2 November against the Iranian island of Qeshm.
According to the Reuters news agency, the targets of that strike were anti-aircraft missile systems that had been used against American facilities.
Strikes on Qeshm Island
Qeshm Island is situated along the southern coast of Iran inside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The narrow waterway handles roughly a fifth of the world's petroleum supply, making any military activity in its waters a matter of intense international scrutiny.
Anti-aircraft missile batteries, commonly known as surface-to-air missile systems, are defensive weapons deployed to intercept hostile aircraft, surveillance drones and incoming missiles. By neutralising those launchers, military forces can reduce threats to reconnaissance flights and nearby naval vessels.
Efforts to limit escalation
The Wall Street Journal noted that the discreet campaign represents a deliberate shift in communication strategy. During prior stages of the conflict, the United States government routinely issued formal statements and public briefings following direct combat operations in the Middle East.
The United States maintains military installations, air wings and naval task forces across the Persian Gulf region to secure shipping lanes and support regional partners.
Officials indicated that the restrained, unacknowledged nature of the strikes reflects a desire to eliminate specific threats without prompting a wider escalation. Neither the United States Department of Defense nor Iranian authorities have issued a public comment on the reported strikes.
