US STRIKES QESHM ISLAND IN SECRET

The US hit targets on Qeshm Island on November 2 to degrade Iranian surface-to-air missiles 1JPO US, Iran reviewing proposals to bridge differences, end war, Qatar mediators announce11CNN US military conducts strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in defensive operation, officials say. While the administration describes these as defensive, reports suggest a pattern of secret strikes designed to keep the military campaign moving without spooking voters over petrol prices before the midterms 10GDN US reportedly strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island as Vance voices optimism about a deal. It is a low-heat approach that keeps the pressure on Tehran while the White House pretends to prioritize mediation in Qatar 1JPO US, Iran reviewing proposals to bridge differences, end war, Qatar mediators announce11CNN US military conducts strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in defensive operation, officials say.

A coalition of Israeli opposition and Arab parties has aligned to back Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister 4AAM Israel’s Arab Joint List, Democrats agree to coordinate efforts to replace Netanyahu government5AAM Israeli opposition leaders meet for 1st time since elections, agree to back Eisenkot for prime minister. With 67 potential seats between them, they have a viable parliamentary path to replace the "October 7 government" 4AAM Israel’s Arab Joint List, Democrats agree to coordinate efforts to replace Netanyahu government6JPO Eisenkot gets opposition backing as leaders vow to form emergency gov't 'as soon as possible'. If this happens, the US may find itself dealing with a new Israeli administration that has a very different appetite for escalation against Iran 4AAM Israel’s Arab Joint List, Democrats agree to coordinate efforts to replace Netanyahu government.

The IRGC Navy claims three more tankers exploded after hitting sea mines off the Strait of Hormuz 3TSN Three Tankers Explode at Strait of Hormuz: IRGC Navy. Tehran also claims to have captured two MQM-170 drones and downed a 55th MQ-9 2MHR 2 more US drones downed in south of Iran over Bandar-e Khamir9TSN IRGC Captures Two US MQM-170 Drones, Shoots Down 55th MQ-9 over Hormuz. By maintaining this lethality, Iran is signaling that its blockade is absolute, regardless of any optimistic rhetoric coming from CENTCOM 3TSN Three Tankers Explode at Strait of Hormuz: IRGC Navy.

Aramco is engineering an expansion of its East-West pipeline to potentially move 10 million barrels per day, bypassing the Strait entirely 8JPM Aramco exploring expansion of crude pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz blockade. This is a major structural shift. Riyadh is no longer treating the blockade as a temporary crisis to be solved by diplomacy, but as a permanent reality of the region 8JPM Aramco exploring expansion of crude pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz blockade.

Tehran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, provided the US meets its demands 12GLT Iran signals Hormuz reopening within 2 Days if US meets demands. This is a single-source claim and highly conditional, but it is a calculated attempt to tempt Washington into a quick win 12GLT Iran signals Hormuz reopening within 2 Days if US meets demands. It puts the ball in the US court just as the post-midterm military window opens.