Iran Launches Missile Strikes on US Bases in Jordan After US Attack on Larak Island
Quick Look
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile and drone strikes on US military bases at King Hussein and Al Azraq in Jordan, calling it 'Punishment of the Aggressor' in response to a prior US attack on Larak Island in southern Iran that targeted missile launchers allegedly destined for the Strait of Hormuz.
- The exchange marks the first flare-up in violence since late July, with Iran claiming destruction of technical infrastructure and fighter deployment sites at the bases, while no injuries were reported.
- The strikes risk renewing military confrontation as the US shifts to financial pressure amid ongoing claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz, where oil prices remain high despite US assertions of protection, potentially impacting US midterm elections.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The US-Israel war on Iran entered its seventh month, with Washington shifting from bombing to financial pressure via secondary sanctions. Iran has maintained defiance, asserting readiness for prolonged conflict and control over the Strait of Hormuz despite US claims of oil flow protection. Recent weeks saw near-daily ship attacks in the strait and rising US oil prices above $4 per gallon, up from under $3 at war's outset in late February.
Iran says it launched missiles at two US bases in Jordan following a US attack on Larak Island in southern Iran earlier on Sunday.
In a statement reported by Iranian news agencies on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the combined missile and drone operation, which it called “Punishment of the Aggressor”, hit the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases in Jordan.
The exchange of attacks is the first flare-up in violence between the two sides since late July.
The IRGC said the strikes “destroyed the technical and repair infrastructure, as well as the enemy fighter deployment sites”, inflicting significant damage.
No injuries at either of the bases have been reported.
“Aggression and crimes will not solve the enemy’s desperation in attempting to weaken the Islamic Republic’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, and every attack will be met with even more devastating responses,” the statement said.
Tehran had earlier promised to retaliate for Sunday’s attack on Larak Island.
The strikes risk renewing the military confrontation as Washington shifts from its bombing campaign to a financial pressure strategy on Tehran, as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its seventh month.
A US official told Al Jazeera that the US strikes had targeted launchers on Larak that were set to fire rockets carrying mines towards the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Fars news agency said that the attack by the “American-Zionist enemy” killed and injured soldiers, without providing a figure.
In recent weeks, Washington has been claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying that millions of barrels of oil have passed through the waterway under US military protection despite Tehran’s blockade.
Still, attacks on ships in the strait have been reported almost daily, and Iran has maintained that the waterway is closed.
Sunday’s strikes show that the US is still willing to use military force despite the intensified sanctions to pressure Iran to make concessions over its nuclear programme and claims of control over Hormuz.
Iran has previously responded to similar US attacks by launching missiles and drones at military bases hosting US troops in neighbouring countries.
Last week, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced a push to isolate Iran financially by threatening secondary sanctions against countries and companies that do business with Tehran.
But Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has warned that the US is prepared to use military force if necessary.
US officials have been touting what they describe as Tehran’s loss of control over the Strait of Hormuz, while arguing that Iran is on the verge of economic collapse due to sanctions and the US Navy’s blockade of its ports.
Tehran, however, has remained defiant, stressing that it is prepared for a long conflict.
On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed reports that the US is managing to get large amounts of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our intelligence shows major efforts to game energy markets,” Araghchi wrote on X. “US Govt elements use gullible media to influence prices for personal gain and keep [Trump] mired in a losing war. Israel-aligned actors also promote war with rosy assessments. U.S. consumers feel the real bottom line.”
Despite the reports of the US ending – or at least easing – Iran’s control of the strategic waterway, oil prices have remained high amid supply uncertainty.
The average price of one gallon (3.8 litres) of petrol in the US is still more than $4, up from less than $3 when the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in late February.
The skyrocketing energy prices, which are fuelling inflation in the US, could hurt Trump’s Republican Party’s chances of maintaining control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The US will proceed with its financial pressure strategy through threatened secondary sanctions on countries and companies doing business with Iran.
Likely · Within weeks
Iran will continue to respond to US military actions with missile and drone strikes on regional bases hosting US troops.
Likely · Within weeks
Oil prices will remain elevated due to supply uncertainty from Strait of Hormuz tensions, regardless of US claims of control.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific damage was inflicted on the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases beyond technical infrastructure?
- Did the US strikes on Larak Island result in casualties, as claimed by Iranian state media?
- What is the exact status of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflicting claims?
- How will the financial pressure strategy via secondary sanctions be implemented by the US administration?
