New Delhi: The United States has carried out strikes against two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known American attack on Iranian territory since late July.
The strikes were conducted after US forces allegedly detected members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps preparing launchers to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategically important waterway. The operation was confirmed by a US official.
Larak Island is located south of Hormuz Island and east of Qeshm Island. Its position places it close to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global energy shipments.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged that Larak Island had come under attack. Iranian authorities said several military personnel and civilians were killed or wounded in the strikes and warned that the United States would face a response and punishment.
The attack comes amid escalating tensions between Washington, Tehran and Israel. The United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf states hosting American military facilities.
US President Donald Trump had previously warned that Washington would respond if Iran attempted to place additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to the waterway could have significant consequences for global oil and gas supplies because of its importance to international energy trade.
The latest strike also followed an appeal by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Muslim majority countries in the region to unite against the United States and Israel.
In his message marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei called for greater cooperation among Muslim nations and urged countries to identify what he described as their common enemy.
The Larak Island strike further raises concerns that military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could intensify, with both sides signaling that further confrontation remains possible.
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