WASHINGTON — U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, marking the first publicly confirmed military action against Iran in over a month. The strikes followed U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) observations that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strait, a critical global shipping route.
CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the operation, stating that U.S. forces had completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping lanes earlier in the month. "U.S. forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway," Hawkins said in a statement. The U.S. military has not conducted strikes on Iranian positions since late July, when a series of attacks targeted IRGC coastal surveillance and defense sites.
Iranian state media reported casualties, with the IRGC stating that the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and civilians. The IRGC vowed a "response and punishment" to the strikes, calling the operation a "strategic and fatal mistake" by the Trump administration. Iranian semi-official outlets reported explosions near Larak Island, though the exact number of casualties remains unverified.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in the six-month-old conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The waterway, which carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply, has seen disrupted vessel traffic due to the war. The U.S. has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, with CENTCOM reporting that as of Sunday, forces had redirected 83 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to enforce compliance. Gas prices in the U.S. have surged, reaching an average of $4.07 per gallon as of late August, according to AAA data.
U.S. shifts focus to economic pressure
The Trump administration has recently emphasized sanctions over military action, with President Donald Trump stating last week that Iran had been warned any new mine deployments would result in destruction. "I’m not in a hurry" to return to negotiations, Trump said, while acknowledging the prolonged conflict’s strain on U.S. military resources. The administration has also threatened secondary sanctions on countries continuing to trade with Iran, a strategy aimed at isolating Tehran economically.
Regional and global implications
The conflict has displaced millions and killed thousands, including 18 U.S. service members since February. Human rights groups report over 3,500 Iranian deaths, though casualty figures remain disputed. The IRGC’s threat of retaliation raises concerns about further escalation, particularly given Iran’s history of asymmetric responses, including attacks on U.S. bases in Gulf states.
Background: Six months of intermittent conflict
The war began on February 28, following a series of escalations that included U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliatory attacks. A ceasefire was declared in May, but intermittent violence has persisted. The latest strikes come days after the U.S. completed mine-clearing operations in the strait, which Iran had previously used to disrupt shipping lanes. The IRGC has also reportedly forced vessels to pay fees to pass near Larak Island, further straining regional stability.
Analysts warn that the prolonged conflict could undermine U.S. military readiness globally, as diminished munitions stockpiles limit flexibility in other theaters. The war’s economic toll—estimated at $270 billion in damages to Iran—has also raised questions about the sustainability of the blockade and its long-term impact on global energy markets.