Iran Update, November 7, 2026

Data Cutoff: 2:00 PM ET

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute are publishing updates Monday through Friday to provide analysis on the war with Iran and the broader Middle East. Weekday updates cover events from the past 24-hour period, whereas weekend updates are abbreviated and cover the Houthi-Saudi conflict and major breaking developments related to the war with Iran. 

Key Takeaways:

• The United States conducted limited strikes targeting Iranian air defense capabilities on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on November 6 amid reports that US officials are considering broader strikes on Iran and continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. US President Donald Trump stated on November 6 that US forces conducted “minor” strikes and destroyed a “little” Iranian anti-aircraft system.
• Yemeni government-aligned forces have maintained recently captured positions in central Jawf Governorate. Geolocated imagery from November 7 showed Yemeni government-aligned forces on the Jabal Dahida mountain range following the forces' seizure of additional positions in the area on November 6.
• The Houthis continued to target Saudi critical infrastructure on November 6 and 7 in order to coerce Saudi Arabia to agree to Houthi demands. Houthi Spokesperson Yahya Saree separately claimed on November 7 that the Houthis launched ballistic missiles at multiple Saudi infrastructure targets.

Toplines

The United States conducted limited strikes targeting Iranian air defense capabilities on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on November 6 amid reports that US officials are considering broader strikes on Iran and continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. US President Donald Trump stated on November 6 that US forces conducted “minor” strikes and destroyed a “little” Iranian anti-aircraft system.[i] Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency confirmed that two missiles struck Qeshm Island.[ii] The November 6 strikes follow a separate US attack on Qeshm Island on November 2, which US officials described to Western media as the latest attack in a series of limited, unannounced US strikes on Iran in recent weeks.[iii] US officials reportedly continue to discuss conducting broader strikes on Iran.[iv] The November 6 strikes also come amid continued Iranian drone, anti-ship cruise missile, and limpet mine attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.[v] Iranian media claimed that vessels struck naval mines on November 6 and 7, but United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has not reported any attacks since November 5.[vi] Iran’s claims of ships hitting mines likely seek to create an informational effect to increase shipping companies’ risk perceptions of transiting the strait without Iranian permission.

US and Partner Military Operations

See topline section.

Iranian Strike Campaign

• Assessed Iranian War Aims:
  • Secure international recognition of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz
  • Degrade the US ability and willingness to continue the war
  • Restore deterrence vis-à -vis the United States and its regional partners
  • Divide the United States and Israel from the Arab states

Nothing significant to report.

US-Iran Negotiations

Nothing significant to report.

Iranian Domestic Affairs

Nothing significant to report.

Lebanon

Nothing significant to report.

Iraq

Nothing significant to report.

Arabian Peninsula

Yemeni government-aligned forces have maintained recently captured positions in central Jawf Governorate. Geolocated imagery from November 7 showed Yemeni government-aligned forces on the Jabal Dahida mountain range following the forces' seizure of additional positions in the area on November 6.[vii] Yemeni government-aligned forces announced on November 7 that they continued to advance along the mountain range while clearing Houthi mines and improvised explosive devices (IED).[viii] Yemeni government efforts to seize Jabal Dahida are likely part of a shaping operation to facilitate an offensive to recapture al Hazm, the capital of Jawf Governorate.[ix]

Yemeni government-aligned forces also repelled Houthi efforts on November 7 to recapture positions in Wadi Halhalan, Marib Governorate, that Yemeni government-aligned forces seized on November 6.[x] Yemeni government-aligned forces reported that airstrikes destroyed Houthi fortifications and advancing fighters in the area.[xi]

The Houthis continued to target Saudi critical infrastructure on November 6 and 7 in order to coerce Saudi Arabia to agree to Houthi demands. Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi drone and cruise missile launched toward Riyadh on November 6.[xii] Houthi Spokesperson Yahya Saree separately claimed on November 7 that the Houthis launched ballistic missiles at multiple Saudi infrastructure targets, including Aramco storage tanks and a distillation tower at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a gas pumping station in Riyadh, and a National Guard camp in Najran, Najran Province.[xiii] The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi critical infrastructure as part of their ongoing strike campaign to compel Saudi Arabia to end military operations in Yemen and accept Houthi demands, which include lifting Saudi controls on Houthi-controlled ports and airports and granting the Houthis control over Yemen’s oil and gas resources.[xiv]