US forces conducted strikes on two Iranian launchers located on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first known American attacks since late July, according to a US official. The strikes were in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly preparing to launch rockets equipped with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The official confirmed the attack, stating, "I can confirm that earlier today US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak island. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait of Hormuz."
In response, the IRGC claimed that the attack resulted in casualties among soldiers and civilians and warned that there would be a "response and punishment" from Tehran, as reported by Iranian state media. A spokesperson for the IRGC indicated that the US would face consequences on both economic and military fronts, according to the semi-official news agency Fars.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the US had carried out a drone strike on the island. Later on Sunday, Reuters cited a US source stating that Iran had launched an attack on US forces in Jordan in apparent retaliation, but all incoming missiles were intercepted with no significant impact reported.
US President Donald Trump stated last week that all mines had been detonated or removed from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Iran that any ship or boat placing new mines would be destroyed. The last known US strikes on Iran occurred in late July, and the conflict has reached a stalemate in recent weeks, with Washington threatening to impose costly sanctions on countries supporting Iran.
The conflict, which has now surpassed six months, has seen US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Iran responding with its own attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. The ongoing war has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced, with 18 US service members reported killed. The conflict has also led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial transit route for about one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption.