US President Donald Trump has confirmed United States military strikes on Iran\u2019s Qeshm island, while also claiming Washington has made \u201ca lot of progress\u201d in talks with Iran.<\/p>\n
Trump said on Friday that US forces had carried \u201cminor strikes\u201d against Iranian air defence systems.<\/p>\n
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Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, \u201cThey knocked out \u2013 they built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five.\u201d<\/p>\n
The US president spoke shortly after Iranian state media reported two missile strikes in the Suza area of Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil shipments.<\/p>\n
State broadcaster IRIB also reported an Iranian army statement, saying that the country\u2019s air defence forces intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 drone over Qeshm island.<\/p>\n
In response to reports of explosions heard on Qeshm, US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said the situation is \u201crelatively calm\u201d.<\/p>\n
A CENTCOM official told Al Jazeera that they were aware of the reports, adding they had no further comment.<\/p>\n
CENTCOM announced in a post on X late on Friday that the US \u201cis offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran\u2019s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above\u201d.<\/p>\n