Attacks flare between the U.S. and Iran after a monthlong pause

Amman, Jordan — Following a month of calm, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated, marking the first major attacks between the two nations in over a month. On Sunday, U.S. military forces targeted two Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming they were preparing to launch sea mines into the waterway.

In response, Iran reported civilian and military casualties resulting from the strikes on Larak Island, a strategic military post overlooking shipping lanes near the port of Bandar Abbas. Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at U.S. forces and helicopters at an air base in the UAE, targeting Jordanian bases as well. Jordanian forces reported shooting down eight missiles that entered their airspace, while Iran denied targeting the al-Minhad Air Base, instead alleging drones were intercepted over territorial waters.

U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper confirmed that U.S. forces had cleared sea mines from the strait's shipping routes, despite Iran's claim of a supertanker hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed a decisive response to any aggression, but assured there would be no war.

The attacks come after weeks of escalating threats and increased economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. President Trump posted a video falsely claiming Kharg Island had been attacked, which was met with ridicule from a senior Iranian oil official. Since February, Iran has targeted U.S. military personnel and installations in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, while the U.S. aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to restore global shipping and alleviate energy price spikes.