U.S. Strikes Iranian Air Defenses as Qatar Pursues Nuclear Talks

President Donald Trump said U.S. forces struck an Iranian anti-aircraft installation on Friday, describing the action as limited and saying it was destroyed within minutes. Iranian state media reported two explosions near Suza on Qeshm Island, in the Strait of Hormuz. The extent of damage was unclear, and U.S. Central Command described conditions around the island as relatively calm while declining to give further details.

The strikes followed U.S. military action earlier in the week in the same area. They came as Qatar presented proposals intended to ease the way to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, the central dispute in efforts to end the conflict, now more than eight months old.

Under a two-day proposal discussed by Iranian and regional officials, Washington would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and release some frozen Iranian funds. Tehran would permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit sites damaged by U.S. and Israeli strikes, before restoring passage through the Strait of Hormuz via a short-term deal grounded in an understanding with Oman that the United States has not approved. Wider talks would follow.

Iran has demanded that the U.S. lift sanctions and the blockade, release frozen assets, pay compensation for war damage and end hostilities across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, before substantive nuclear negotiations. Trump has previously rejected those conditions. He said Friday that discussions with Iran were continuing, while also saying the U.S. had made progress toward a possible agreement.

Diplomatic contacts included calls between Trump and Qatar’s emir and between senior defense officials. The U.S. Central Command also announced a reward of as much as $20 million, along with potential relocation, for tips concerning Iran’s nuclear facilities and program.

Trump Renews Iran Strikes While Diplomacy Offers a Path Forward

With Qatar trying to broker steps toward negotiations, President Donald Trump ordered limited U.S. strikes on Iran’s air defenses on Friday. Trump called the action minor and said the installation was destroyed within minutes. Iranian state media reported two explosions near Suza on Qeshm Island; the extent of damage was unclear.

The renewed military action underscores the danger of pursuing diplomacy while keeping force on the table. Qatar’s two-day proposal would have Washington lift its blockade of Iranian ports and release some frozen Iranian funds, in return for Iran allowing international inspectors into sites damaged by U.S. and Israeli strikes. Tehran would restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a short-term deal that Washington has not approved, paving the way for broader nuclear talks.

Iran has also demanded sanctions relief, compensation for war damage and an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon. Trump has rejected those conditions in the past. The competing demands leave the proposed bridge deal fragile, even as Trump said Friday that discussions were continuing and progress had been made.

The stakes include the conflict’s regional reach and the risk of further escalation. The U.S. Central Command also announced a reward of as much as $20 million, along with possible relocation, for tips about Iran’s nuclear program, adding pressure as mediators try to bring the sides toward talks.

Iran’s Air Defenses Hit as Trump Keeps Pressure on Tehran

President Donald Trump said U.S. forces destroyed an Iranian anti-aircraft installation in a limited strike on Friday, saying the operation took minutes. Iranian state media reported two explosions near Suza on Qeshm Island, while the U.S. military described the area as relatively calm. The strikes followed another U.S. action there earlier in the week.

The action came as Tehran continued to weigh Qatari proposals for a temporary deal. The suggested first steps would have the U.S. lift its blockade of Iranian ports and release some frozen Iranian funds, while Iran permits international inspectors at nuclear sites damaged by U.S. and Israeli strikes. Iran would restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a short-term deal not approved by Washington.

Broader negotiations would address Iran’s nuclear program, including its highly enriched uranium stockpile. Iran says it will not enter substantive talks without concessions that include sanctions relief, compensation for war damage and an end to regional hostilities. Trump has previously rejected those demands, and the proposed sequence has not resolved the basic disagreement over terms.

Trump said Friday that talks were ongoing and that progress had been made, but the strikes show Washington is maintaining military pressure alongside diplomacy. The U.S. Central Command also announced a reward of as much as $20 million, plus potential relocation, for information on Iran’s nuclear program.