Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Sunday that an unidentified “enemy” launched missiles toward Qeshm Island, a strategically vital landmass sitting just off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf.
Why Qeshm matters
Qeshm Island sits near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes daily.
The island is also home to extensive underground military installations operated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. These facilities reportedly house anti-ship missiles and drones, making Qeshm a linchpin in Iran’s asymmetric defense strategy.
US Central Command has conducted multiple self-defense strikes on Qeshm and surrounding areas in the Hormozgan Province from June through July 2026, responding to Iranian missile and drone activities that threatened regional navigation security. Explosions have also been reported at nearby sites including Bandar Abbas and Sirik during the same timeframe.
