US strikes Iranian rocket launchers near Larak Island, ending weeks-long lull

US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz late Sunday, in their first confirmed military action against Iran in a month, breaking a weeks-long lull in fighting. Iran quickly vowed retaliation, with state television later showing what it said were ballistic missiles fired at US bases in Jordan. Jordanian forces said they intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace early Monday. Meanwhile Iran international also reported that explosions were heard at US bases on Qatar. These attacks have not been confirmed by US officials. The US Central Command alleged Iran's Revolutionary Guard forces had been preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when they were targeted. Tim Hawkins, a Centcom spokesperson, said the US military had observed the preparations, reported AP. The US had completed clearing sea mines from international shipping routes in the strait the previous week. Iranian semiofficial media, quoted by AP reported the explosions near Larak Island, while the Revolutionary Guard acknowledged that several of its fighters and civilians had been killed or wounded. The head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament Ebrahim Azizi condemened the attack saying on X (translated from Farsi), "Retesting our will only makes the cost of your humiliating defeats even heavier. Undoubtedly, no crime, at any level, goes unanswered; a response that is devastating, more painful, and instructive, which will complete the chain of your failures. Wait in fear and terror!" He then made another statement in English adding, "Test our will once more, and pay a heavier price. Retaliation is coming; JUST RUN!" The strike marked the first confirmed US attack on Iran since July 29, when Washington said it had launched a “heavy wave of strikes” against dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets, including coastal surveillance and defence sites. President Donald Trump later said on August 1 that he would hold off on further strikes following appeals from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The latest military action came days after the Trump administration said it would prioritise economic pressure over further strikes in an effort to force Tehran to end the war. The strategy involved threatening sanctions against countries and entities that continue doing business with Iran. Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Gen. Hossein Mohebi called Sunday’s attack a “fatal mistake” and warned that Washington would face military and economic consequences. The administration’s reliance on sanctions also comes as US officials weigh depleted munitions stockpiles after more than six months of conflict, raising concerns about the impact on American military readiness elsewhere. Trump has increasingly played down the prospect of a quick end to the war, saying last week that he was “not in a hurry” to bring Iran back to negotiations. He has continued to argue that Iran’s leadership and military capabilities have been severely weakened. Iranian officials, however, have maintained a defiant stance. Recent appointments to senior security positions have signalled Tehran’s intent to continue resisting pressure despite years of sanctions and internal repression. Trump has repeatedly said the US-Israel campaign has devastated Iran’s navy and air force. Tehran estimates that the conflict has caused about $270 billion in direct and indirect damage, while Israeli strikes in the opening weeks severely weakened Iran’s political leadership. Despite those losses, Iran retains significant leverage through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route. Tehran has targeted vessels in and around the waterway, where commercial traffic has fallen sharply since the war began. The strait normally carries about 20% of the world’s oil, but relatively few tankers carrying crude and liquefied natural gas are now willing to risk the route. Iran still possesses enough drones and missiles to threaten vessels passing through the waterway. Oil prices rose after Sunday’s US strike, with US crude gaining 1.8% to $84.94 a barrel and Brent crude rising 1.9% to $89.79. Iran has also maintained that the US cannot use the Strait of Hormuz until Washington fulfils its obligations under a memorandum of understanding signed with Tehran in June, even after Iran and Oman agree on a management arrangement for the waterway. Trump has repeatedly said the strait is “open”, pointing to 24 vessels that crossed it last week. That remains far below the roughly 130 vessels that passed through each day before the war. A US Navy-overseen multinational coalition said commercial traffic remained at “reduced levels” on Sunday. Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Organization said an unidentified projectile struck a tanker north of Khasab, Oman, on Saturday. No casualties or environmental damage were reported, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The US military said it had redirected 83 commercial vessels and disabled three others as part of its blockade of Iranian ports.