U.S. Strikes 2 Iranian Rocket Launchers Over Strait Of Hormuz Mine Threat, Iran Vows To Retaliate

The U.S. military hit two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after seeing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces prepare to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Central Command said.

The Aug. 30 attack was the first known direct U.S. strike on Iran since July 29. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said several of its members and civilians were killed or wounded and vowed to retaliate.

The U.S. military said it had recently cleared sea mines from international shipping routes and would not allow Iran to place more mines in the waterway.

Central Command rejected Iran’s claim that the strikes were an “act of aggression.” It said the U.S. had taken limited and precise action against Iranian forces that posed an immediate threat in the strait.

The command said the operation was aimed at protecting sailors, commercial ships and global trade. President Donald Trump had earlier warned that any new mines placed in the Strait of Hormuz would be immediately destroyed.

Iranian media reported explosions near Larak Island.

Tasnim news agency said the U.S. attack was carried out by a drone. Mehr news agency quoted the IRGC as saying Iranian air defences had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the strait, causing it to crash into Gulf waters.

Iran launches retaliatory attacks

The IRGC said the U.S. strike killed and wounded several Iranian fighters and civilians.

IRGC spokesman General Hossein Mohebi called the attack a “fatal mistake” by the Trump administration during what he described as an economic war and said Iran would respond militarily and economically.

Iranian state television later reported that Iran launched ballistic missiles at the U.S.-operated King Hussein and Al-Azraq airbases in Jordan.

Iran said the missiles targeted technical infrastructure, maintenance facilities and positions used by fighter jets and caused heavy damage.

A U.S. source told Reuters that missiles fired towards U.S. forces in Jordan had been intercepted and that there had been no significant impact at the time.

Iran’s army also said it launched a drone attack against U.S. forces at the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates early Monday. Iran said the attack was in response to the strike on Larak Island.

Iranian TV says supertanker hit two mines

Hours after the U.S. attack, Iranian media reported that a supertanker caught fire after hitting two naval mines while passing through the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC warned that other ships that did not follow its rules would face the same fate. It said ships had to follow its rules while passing through the strait.

Preliminary Kpler data cited by Reuters showed that seven commodity vessels passed through the strait on Aug. 28. That was down from 17 vessels the day before and below the 10-day average of about 15 vessels.

Iran has tried to block the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. The war has also led to a blockade of the strait, according to the information provided.

War enters its seventh month

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. Iran responded with strikes against Israel and Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases.

A ceasefire was agreed in April. In June, a memorandum of understanding aimed at reaching a final peace deal was signed. No final agreement has been reached.

Pakistan and Qatar have been among the countries trying to help end the war.

The White House has said there are currently no negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump said last week that he was “not in a hurry” to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.

Recent changes in Iran’s senior security leadership have also shown Tehran’s continued defiance, according to the information provided.

Trump has said the U.S.-Israeli campaign has badly damaged Iran’s navy and air force. Iranian officials have estimated the country’s direct and indirect losses at $270 billion.

References: The Guardian, AP News