US strikes Iran near Strait of Hormuz in first military action in a month

On Sunday, US forces targeted Iranian rocket launchers located close to the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first military action by the United States against Iran in the past month, according to a US official. The attack aimed to disrupt Iran's preparations to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway. Iranian media reported explosions near Larak Island, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that several fighters and civilians were killed or injured in the incident.

The IRGC conveyed the loss of "several of our fighters and compatriots" in a statement, without specifying the exact number. The statement also promised retaliation against the aggressor. The strike occurred after US President Donald Trump's administration focused on increasing economic pressure on Tehran rather than engaging in military action.

Last week, Trump warned Iran that any vessel attempting to lay new mines in the Strait of Hormuz would be destroyed. The last known US strikes on Iran took place in late July, with fighting largely remaining stagnant since then. The administration has since prioritized economic pressure and threats of sanctions on countries conducting business with Tehran.

The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, has resulted in thousands of deaths, displacement of millions, and has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route that previously carried around a fifth of the world's oil supply.