U.S. Strikes Iran in First Military Action in a Month
Iran reportedly retaliated with missile launches at a U.S. base in Jordan.
On May 16, 2026, U.S. forces carried out military strikes against two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first confirmed action against Iran in weeks. CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the strikes, stating that the targets were preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait.
The U.S. had recently cleared the strait's shipping routes of sea mines. Following the strikes, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan, but all eight missiles were intercepted by Jordanian forces. Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed retaliation against the aggressor. CENTCOM dismissed these claims, describing the attack as a "limited, precise action" against IRGC forces posing an imminent threat to the strait.
The U.S. had not targeted Iran since July 29, when they conducted a "heavy wave of strikes" against IRGC targets in Iran. President Trump had previously agreed to "hold off" strikes in Iran at the request of regional allies. The escalation of the conflict began on February 28, leading to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transit route.
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