The United States carried out new limited strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting an Iranian air defense system, as diplomatic efforts continued to find a path toward ending the more than eight-month-old conflict.

President Donald Trump described the strikes as “minor,” telling reporters that U.S. forces knocked out an Iranian anti-aircraft system within minutes.

These were the first strikes since the U.S. midterm election where Democrats flipped more than enough seats to regain the majority in Congress. Voters in exit polls cited the Iran war as an issue of concern. 

Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route for global oil shipments.

The strikes came as Qatar intensified efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program. 

Two Middle East government officials said Iran was reviewing proposals presented by Qatari mediators, although Tehran remains unwilling to enter nuclear negotiations until the United States meets several of its demands.