United States forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first direct U.S. military action against Tehran in a month as tensions surrounding the Iran war remain elevated.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins said Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces had been observed preparing to launch rockets and sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said it completed clearing sea mines from shipping routes in the strategic waterway last week.
Larak Island is located just off Iran's southern coast, near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran had been forcing ships to pay fees to pass safely through the waterway.
The IRGC, in a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster, claimed "The martyrdom and injury of several of our fighters and compatriots", The Associated Press reported.
The statement added that the attack would "result in punishment of the aggressor".
Meanwhile, an unidentified projectile struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization, an agency operated by the British military.
The incident occurred on Saturday in a section of the waterway north of Khasab, Oman, while the vessel was travelling inbound. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.
The agency cited unspecified military authorities and said there had been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Iran's government said on Saturday that the country would stand "firm" against what it described as "unjust" sanctions and "conspiracies".
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also acknowledged some vulnerability to economic sanctions, becoming the first senior Iranian official to publicly do so.
President Donald Trump this week said Iran is "begging to make a deal", although Iranian leaders have publicly played down the impact of the latest sanctions.
Trump initially said the war would last six weeks but has since said it will continue “as long as necessary”.
