The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, said the operation was part of a series of limited strikes that Washington has conducted secretly against Iran in recent weeks. Qeshm is the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that five explosions were heard in quick succession on the island. Some residents also said they saw two aircraft flying overhead, IRNA reported.

The Pentagon directed questions about the reported strikes to US Central Command. Central Command did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment late Monday.

According to the Journal, US operations have remained smaller in scale and have not been publicly announced. The newspaper said some officials characterised them as defensive measures intended to prevent Iran from being able to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait is a major route for oil shipments and has been largely blocked since the war began in late February. The Journal reported that Washington has avoided publicising the attacks in order not to indicate that it intends to return to major combat operations.

Trump’s comments came on the eve of US midterm elections. He did not provide further details about the potential agreement with Tehran.

Oil prices, which had surged following Iran’s blockade of the energy corridor, fell by more than 7% on Monday amid optimism that the conflict could end.

France 24 with AFP