US forces strike two Iranian launchers on Larak Island

US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, a US official said, marking the first known American attack on Iran since late July.

“I can confirm that earlier today US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz,” the official said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said several soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded in the attack, warning that Tehran would respond with “response and punishment,” according to Iranian state media. Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the US carried out a drone strike on the island.

The attack came days after US President Donald Trump said all mines in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz had either been detonated or removed. He warned Iran that any ship or boat attempting to lay new mines would be destroyed.

The latest strikes mark the first known US attacks on Iran since late July, as the conflict has entered a stalemate in recent weeks. Washington has also threatened to impose costly sanctions on countries supporting Tehran.

The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. The conflict has now entered its seventh month.

US and Israeli attacks on Iran, along with Israeli operations in Lebanon, have killed thousands and displaced millions. Eighteen US service members have also been killed in the conflict.

The war has resulted in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route that handled roughly one-fifth of the world’s consumed oil before the conflict began.