Iran: 'Strongest army since the beginning of the war'. US 'rapid' attack on Qeshm island

Iran's military said today it is "stronger" than at the start of the war in the Middle East, declaring itself ready to respond to any attack 'immediately' and "without geographical limits" following recent US threats.

"The armed forces of the Islamic Republic are today in a higher state of alert and are more powerful than they were at the beginning of the war," army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said, quoted by the official Irna agency. “On the orders of the Supreme Leader, any response by the armed forces will be immediate, effective and without geographical limits,” he added.

Despite the recent US attacks on the island of Qeshm, in the Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic negotiations to avoid a resumption of hostilities have recently intensified with the mediation of Qatar, after a series of Israeli-US threats.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said two missiles had initially hit Qeshm island, adding that there was no official information on any damage.

Previously, the state news agency IRNA had reported the testimony of local people, according to whom two projectiles had hit the Suza area, on the island of Qeshm, in southern Iran, after the sound of an aircraft was heard above the island.

"I don't want to talk about it. We conducted a small attack in Iran. They built a small anti-aircraft device and we knocked it out in 15 minutes, maybe five," Donald Trump said, responding to those who asked him if the United States had been behind the attack.

The Trump administration is split on Iran. Vice President JD Vance is pushing for an end to the conflict, while Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and US Central Command number one Brad Cooper are pushing for a return to fighting. The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing some sources, according to whom tensions between the various positions within the administration have intensified after the mid-term elections.

Secretaries of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Scott Bessent are instead pushing for a tightening of sanctions and to continue the blockade. Correspondent Steve Witkoff supports Vance's position. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would like the fighting to resume. The United States is offering $20 million, "plus the possibility of moving elsewhere", to anyone who provides information on Iran's nuclear program. Such information may concern "its facilities, equipment and associated personnel," US Central Command said.