The United States military has carried out drone strikes against Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island, prompting Iranian forces to launch retaliatory missile strikes against American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
At least two people were killed and two others were wounded in the strike on the island, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that several individuals were injured, labeled the attack an aggressive act, and vowed to respond against the United States.
Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing a senior American official, that United States forces targeted the launchers on Larak Island after personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were seen preparing to launch missiles equipped with naval mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the American attack, Iranian state network Press TV reported that Iran launched missiles at United States vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Several explosions were subsequently reported in Jordan after the Iranian strikes occurred.
Casualties and retaliatory strikes
A spokesperson for United States Central Command told Ravid that military forces were closely monitoring the strategic waterway and remained ready to safeguard the free flow of commercial shipping.
United States Central Command is the unified combatant command responsible for American military operations across the Middle East. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a major branch of the Iranian armed forces that operates independent land, naval, and air forces.
Larak Island is an Iranian territory situated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz off the southern coast of Iran. The narrow waterway serves as one of the world's most critical maritime corridors for international petroleum shipments.
Military stance in the Strait of Hormuz
United States President Donald Trump previously stated that Washington had no interest in conducting talks with Iran. Trump added that the United States maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz and the blockade against Tehran.
Donald Trump serves as the President of the United States. Relations between Washington and Tehran have long been defined by maritime security tensions, military posture in the Persian Gulf, and freedom of navigation disputes.
According to Axios, the strike on Larak Island marks the first known American military attack inside Iran since late July. At that time, President Trump suspended a two-week military campaign conducted by United States forces in the strait.
Background of American operations
American military forces completed operations last week to clear all naval mines from the primary shipping channel in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that Iran had been formally notified that any vessel or boat attempting to deploy new mines would be immediately and systematically destroyed.
In late July, the American president canceled planned strikes against Iranian targets as negotiations over a potential settlement deal with Tehran began to take shape. Trump stated that he agreed to halt the military action only on the condition that Washington could rapidly negotiate a final agreement.
The latest exchange of strikes highlights renewed volatility in the region as both nations maintain heightened military readiness around critical international shipping lanes. Tasnim is a semi-official news agency based in Tehran, while Press TV operates as Iran's state-owned English language news network.
