Iran Fires on a U.S. Jet, the U.S. Hits Qeshm Island, and Military Families Go on Alert | Mike Drop Newsroom

Iran fired a surface-to-air missile at a U.S. fighter jet over the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. forces struck back at Qeshm Island on the eve of Election Day.

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 3 NOVEMBER 2026

U.S. officials say Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired on an American jet Monday evening, and U.S. forces answered with a limited strike on Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf. Officials called it defensive and say it does not signal a return to major combat. In Europe, U.S. European Command launched a "See Something, Do Something" campaign urging troops and families to vary their routes, turn off geotagging on fitness apps and limit posts about travel.

Mike Ritland breaks down whether a measured response is enough of a deterrent when Iran is still shooting at U.S. aircraft during talks, why EUCOM's warning to families in Europe is a big deal, and why letting aid lapse for Navy families evacuated from Bahrain would be an unforced error.

Also covered: Navy families evacuated from Bahrain could lose safe haven housing aid, Russia's posture ahead of talks with the U.S. and the future of U.S. support for Ukraine, China hosting Oman's sultan and Iranian officials as it pushes to reopen Hormuz, and Election Day.

Should the U.S. answer Iran with a measured strike, or take the gloves off? Tell us in the comments.

Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.

Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join

0:00 Iran fires on a U.S. jet; U.S. strikes Qeshm Island

4:05 EUCOM warns troops and families across Europe

9:05 Navy families evacuated from Bahrain could lose housing aid

12:40 Russia, Ukraine and the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks

17:20 China steps into the Hormuz fight

19:55 Election Day