The United States has resumed military strikes against Iran, targeting two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, in its first reported attack on Iranian territory since late July.
Gatekeepers News reports that the US Navy said the strikes were carried out on Sunday after American forces observed members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the strategic waterway.
“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,” US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told AFP.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation was intended to prevent Iran from placing additional mines in the waterway, days after American forces announced that they had completed clearing mines from international shipping routes.
“US forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a statement on X.
Hawkins said the US military remained on alert in the area to protect commercial shipping through the strategically important waterway.
“Last week, CENTCOM completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes,” he said.
“US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” he added.
The latest strike comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the administration of US President Donald Trump having increasingly focused on what it describes as “economic warfare” against Iran in recent weeks rather than sustained military action.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy route, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passing through the waterway before the conflict disrupted shipping.
Iran has effectively blocked the strait since hostilities erupted following US and Israeli strikes on the country on February 28, contributing to disruptions in global energy and fertiliser supplies.
The April ceasefire ended the most intense phase of the conflict, but sporadic attacks, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have continued to undermine prospects for a lasting peace agreement.
Sunday’s operation was the first US strike against Iran since July 29, when the US military said it responded to “an attempted surprise attack on US forces” in the region. Earlier in July, CENTCOM had conducted strikes against Iran for 13 consecutive nights.
Throughout the conflict, Iran has retaliated by targeting US military facilities and American allies across the Gulf, with strikes reported in countries including Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also affected global markets, contributing to higher prices and shortages of energy and fertiliser.
The renewed military activity pushed crude oil prices higher, with both major international oil benchmarks gaining at least two per cent on Monday.
