US strikes Iranian launchers on Larak Island
US forces struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first known American military strike inside Iran since late July.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday
- This marks the first known US strike inside Iran since late July
- The IRGC reported multiple casualties and vowed swift retaliation
- Iran is forcing cargo vessels to pay $2 million to cross the strait
United States military forces have carried out strikes against two Iranian missile launchers positioned on Larak Island, according to a confirmation from a US official. This operation marks the very first known American military strike targeting Iran since President Donald Trump paused a renewed military campaign back in late July.
The Tasnim news agency, which maintains close affiliations with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the Sunday attack was executed using drones. Official reports from the agency indicated that two individuals lost their lives while another two sustained injuries, prompting the IRGC to issue a stern vow for retaliation and punishment.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Larak Island is situated just offshore from the critical port city of Bandar Abbas, sitting directly along the Strait of Hormuz which serves as a vital waterway for international shipping logistics. At present, Iran is mandating that all commercial tanker traffic pass by this island for mandatory inspections, alongside reports that vessels are being forced to pay a fee of $2 million, equivalent to £1.5 million, in order to cross safely.
"Response and punishment"
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
These developments unfold against the backdrop of an ongoing conflict that crossed its crucial six-month mark. The war originally escalated on February 28 when the US and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran, leading Tehran to retaliate against Israel, US military bases, and allied Gulf states while effectively shutting down marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 20% of the world's total oil and liquefied natural gas consumption passed through this strategic corridor.
The resumption of targeted US military strikes on Larak Island closely follows the recent clearance of naval mines from the main shipping lanes in the strait. This strategic maneuver underscores Washington's commitment to countering Iran's attempts to restrict maritime navigation and levy heavy transit tolls, a strategy intensified by the fresh round of economic sanctions announced by the US Treasury on August 24.
Source: BBC World
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