A plume of smoke rises after reported strikes, from Qeshm, Iran, July 30, 2026, in these screengrabs obtained from a social media video. (REUTERS/image enhanced using AI)The US military carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island early Thursday as part of a two-hour operation targeting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities, after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan. Iranian state media said three people were killed in the strikes on the island.While Washington said the strikes were aimed at reducing threats to American troops and commercial shipping, the choice of Qeshm Island underscores its strategic importance in the escalating conflict.Also Read | West Asia War Live UpdatesWhy did the US attack Qeshm Island?According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted military command centres, drone facilities, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.“The strikes aimed to further diminish threats posed by Iran and its proxies to American forces, commercial shipping, and neighbouring Gulf countries,” CENTCOM said in a statement. The operation lasted from 0000 GMT to 0200 GMT on Thursday, it added. Reuters reported that Iranian state media said three people were killed in the strikes on Qeshm Island.The strikes came a day after Iran confirmed firing ballistic missiles at US troops stationed in Jordan. CENTCOM said those missiles were intercepted, but described the latest operation as retaliation for the attack.https://t.co/kk3XPDc73G— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 30, 2026 Why is Qeshm Island significant?Qeshm is Iran’s largest island and lies in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.The strait connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the waterway, making it vital to global energy supplies. Reuters reported that the Strait of Hormuz has become the main flashpoint in the conflict after Iran claimed control over the waterway and rejected an Omani proposal backed by Gulf states to jointly manage maritime transit.Story continues below this adBy targeting facilities on Qeshm Island, the US appears to have focused on infrastructure linked to Iran’s ability to monitor and project military power across the strait, including coastal surveillance systems and maritime assets identified by CENTCOM.How does it fit into the wider conflict?The strikes were part of a broader escalation across the region.On Wednesday, US and Saudi forces launched strikes on Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq after drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Elsewhere, a drone struck a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey, although Egyptian authorities confirmed only that a fire had broken out and did not attribute the cause.Jordan also said its air defences intercepted five missiles launched from Iran on Thursday, hours after the US operation. No casualties were reported.Story continues below this adWhy the strikes matterThe attack on Qeshm Island highlights that the confrontation is increasingly centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz rather than only missile exchanges.The waterway has emerged as the biggest obstacle to diplomatic efforts after a temporary ceasefire collapsed, while fears of disruption to shipping have already pushed global oil prices sharply higher. Reuters reported that Brent crude surged more than 8% on Wednesday before easing the following day slightly.By striking military infrastructure on Qeshm, the US signalled that it is prepared to target assets it believes could threaten navigation through one of the world’s busiest energy corridors, even as President Donald Trump has said Washington remains open to a diplomatic settlement with Tehran.(With inputs from AP, Reuters)The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. 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