WASHINGTON: The United States military has carried out a targeted strike against two Iranian launchers on Lark Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known US attack on Iranian territory since late July.
A US official said the operation was conducted on Sunday, August 30, after American forces identified Iranian systems that were allegedly being prepared to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The US military described the action as a response to what it considered an imminent threat to maritime security and the movement of commercial shipping through the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, making any military activity in the area a major international concern.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that Lark Island had been targeted. Iranian authorities said the attack caused casualties among military personnel and civilians, although details about the number of deaths and injuries remain unclear. Iranian media reported that the strike involved drones.
The attack has triggered a rapid escalation between Washington and Tehran. Following the US strike, Iran launched ballistic missiles toward US military positions in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said eight missiles entering its airspace were intercepted, while reports indicated that the Iranian attack caused little or no significant damage at the targeted facilities.
The latest exchange represents a significant deterioration in the already tense US-Iran confrontation. It also raises concerns about further disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the potential impact on global energy markets.
Both sides have signalled that they remain prepared for further military action, increasing fears that the confrontation could widen across the Middle East.