US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, resuming military operations against Iran for the first time in roughly a month after American forces observed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps preparing to deploy sea mines into the critical shipping waterway.
U.S. Central Command spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the strikes. "U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island today," Hawkins said. "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been observed by U.S. forces preparing to launch rockets containing sea mines against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM had recently completed mine removal operations from all international shipping routes in the strait and is closely monitoring the area. "We remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway," Hawkins added.
Larak Island sits at the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz — roughly 24 miles wide between Iranian and Omani territory — making it a critical chokepoint for global energy shipping. Under normal conditions, approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supply transits the strait daily.
President Trump had warned last week that all mines had been cleared from the waterway and threatened that any ship or vessel placing new mines would be destroyed. Sunday's strike was the direct enforcement of that warning.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps responded swiftly, vowing retaliation. An IRGC spokesperson told state broadcaster IRIB the corps "will take retribution" and "will punish those responsible." The IRGC also claimed the strikes killed and wounded Iranian fighters and civilians on the island — claims that could not be independently verified. Tehran framed the attack as aggression by the "US-Zionist enemy."
Oil markets moved higher on the news. Brent crude climbed above $90 a barrel following the strike — a gain of more than 2 percent on the day — while West Texas Intermediate rose to near $86. The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed to commercial traffic throughout the conflict. Tracking site Straits.live reported only three ships transited on August 23, against roughly 85 per day under normal conditions. Brent has held near $90 on persistent supply fears tied to the Hormuz closure.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated in late August that the United States' blockade of Iran could continue "indefinitely." Operation Epic Fury officially ended with a ceasefire on May 5, 2026, but intermittent strikes have continued as Iran has repeatedly tested American resolve along the Hormuz chokepoint.
Human rights organization HRANA reports more than 3,500 Iranians have been killed since the conflict began, with thousands more wounded. Eighteen U.S. service members have been killed, including Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, who died during an Iranian drone strike at Erbil Air Base in Iraq.
Sunday's strike signals Washington's continued commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open — and its willingness to act decisively when Iran moves to re-mine waters American forces have already cleared.
As we publish, Iran is reportedly attacking American forces in Jordan.
