U.S. Strikes on Iranian Rocket Launchers Lead to Threats of Retaliation
U.S. forces targeted two Iranian rocket launchers on Sunday after observing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) readying to fire rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the first known American military action within Iran since July, prompting Iran to promise revenge.
The strikes occurred on Larak Island, located close to the vital waterway. This has been confirmed by U.S. officials who shared details with several media outlets.
“Today, U.S. forces struck two launchers on Larak Island after watching IRGC forces preparing to launch rockets containing sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz,” stated a U.S. official.
U.S. military personnel are actively monitoring the situation and are committed to ensuring that commercial traffic can move freely through the strait, the official noted.
The IRGC responded almost immediately, admitting that the attack resulted in casualties among Iranian forces and civilians, while vowing to hold those responsible accountable. Iran’s Tasnim news agency, linked to the IRGC, reported that two people had died and two others had been injured.
The IRGC, in a statement relayed by Iran’s state-owned IRNA news agency, declared, “The terrorist enemy’s aggression on Larak Island will not go unpunished.”
Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for the IRGC, intensified the rhetoric by describing the U.S. strike as a “strategic and fatal error” that would lead to significant consequences. He warned that the U.S. would bear the fallout of this miscalculation in both economic and military frameworks.
In the hours following the attack, Iranian officials continued to issue stern warnings, suggesting that the United States would face dire repercussions for its actions. Ebrahim Azizi, an Iranian lawmaker, stated, “No crime, no matter the level, remains unanswered; expect a reaction that is devastating and instructive.”
Additionally, a representative from Iran’s armed forces confirmed that Tehran would respond to the strike in a definitive manner.
This military action occurred shortly after President Donald Trump specifically warned Iran not to attempt placing new mines in the Hormuz Strait. Just days ago, he mentioned that U.S. forces had dealt with previous Iranian mines that obstructed international shipping routes.
On Truth Social, Trump acknowledged the U.S. Navy’s efforts in clearing mines and cautioned Iran that any further attempts to place mines would be met with immediate destruction.
The President assured that U.S. forces were closely watching every part of the strait and reiterated a “Zero Tolerance policy” concerning mine placements.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American forces had successfully removed Iranian mines from the International Traffic Separation Scheme in the strait, highlighting a significant progress in efforts to restore navigational freedom in the area.
Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, remarked that the maritime routes were now clear and that positive momentum was building.
This operation came as a response to persistent Iranian attempts to limit commercial shipping through Hormuz, a crucial passage for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continued to enforce a naval blockade of Iran while allowing shipping from other Gulf nations to proceed normally.
Following the reports of the strike, CENTCOM announced they had redirected 83 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two to ensure compliance with the blockade. Accompanying their statements were visuals of a U.S. sailor operating a helicopter aboard the USS Delbert D. Black as it conducted operations in the Arabian Sea.
Two days after declaring the Strait of Hormuz open, Trump noted, “That sucker is open,” though Iran maintains that the strait is still closed and that ships need Iran’s authorization to travel through.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated Iran’s stance by asserting that the country remains at war and wouldn’t permit reopening of Hormuz until the U.S. meets its commitments based on prior agreements.
Gharibabadi also suggested that Iran might take preemptive action against potential threats instead of waiting for an American attack.
The Trump administration had paused its previous campaign of strikes within Iran in late July after two weeks of military operations, shifting focus toward a naval blockade and increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Sunday’s strike was the first known U.S. military action within Iran since that hiatus and came shortly after Trump had cautioned that any fresh attempt to mine the Strait would invoke immediate action from the U.S. military.
The IRGC did not specify how or when it would carry out its promised retaliation.
