US Strikes Iranian Launchers on Larak Island
US forces have struck two Iranian launchers on Iran's Larak island, a US official said, marking the first known American strikes on Iran since late July.
"Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into Strait of Hormuz," quoted US Central Command (Centcom) spokesman Cdr Tim Hawkins as saying by CBS News, per the BBC.
The IRGC claimed the Sunday attack killed two people and injured two others, and vowed "response and punishment." They later alleged they had launched an attack on US military targets in Jordan.
Key Points:
- The US strike is the first known attack on Iran since President Donald Trump paused a renewed military campaign in late July.
- Larak Island is located near the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
- Iran currently makes tanker traffic pass through this island for inspection and reportedly charges $2m (£1.5m) per transit.
Reactions:
- Hossein Mohebbi, IRGC spokesman, called the attack a "strategic and fatal mistake by the Trump regime."
- Iranian media reported the IRGC attacked US bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles as retaliation.
- President Trump posted videos on Truth Social seemingly showing oil infrastructure explosions, without elaborating.
- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed Trump's claim about removed or detonated mines in the Strait of Hormuz as "propaganda" deception.
Iran faces renewed economic pressure after fresh US sanctions announced on August 24.