CNN cites three officials saying the action was intended to protect US assets in the region. One says it followed Iranian fire at a US aircraft. The official interviewed by Associated Press refers to Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets.
Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz. Those reports do not establish the precise targets or the military outcome of the strikes. The description of a defensive response remains that of the US officials rather than an independent finding about the circumstances.