United States military forces struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, marking the first US strikes in the region in a month. In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched ballistic missiles at two US-operated airbases in Jordan, while oil prices jumped past $90 a barrel.
US Strikes Larak Island Following Sea Mine Threats
American forces carried out military action in the strategic waters of the Persian Gulf, striking two Iranian launcher systems on Larak Island. The operation broke a month-long lull in an intermittent regional conflict that has persisted for more than six months.
United States Central Command stated that intelligence observations caught preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway serves as a critical global shipping route for international commerce and energy supplies.
The strike immediately rattled global energy markets. Oil prices jumped more than 2% on Monday, pushing Brent crude back above $90 a barrel following the weekend escalation.
Iran Retaliates With Missile Barrage on Bases in Jordan
Tehran responded swiftly to the American military action. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for a missile assault targeting American installations in the region, specifically targeted technical infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and enemy fighter jet positions at the US-operated King Hussein and Al-Azraq airbases in Jordan using ballistic missiles.
Jordanian military authorities confirmed that their defense apparatus engaged the incoming threat.
A spokesperson for the Jordan army stated in an official release that air defense systems had intercepted eight missiles that breached the Kingdom’s airspace at dawn that Monday.
American sources reported that the defensive measures largely neutralized the incoming barrage. A US source cited by reporters noted that nearly all incoming missiles have been intercepted at this point, preventing significant structural damage or casualties among stationed personnel.
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Chokepoint Faces Severe Disruption
The military exchanges compound existing tensions surrounding maritime trade through the Persian Gulf. Shipping data from commodities firm Kpler revealed that the number of visible commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz dropped to five per day over the weekend as commercial operators adopted highly cautious postures.
Actual transit numbers may vary because many cargo ships have turned off their automatic identification systems to evade potential targeting. Weekend traffic consisted primarily of smaller vessels, including liquefied petroleum gas carriers navigating alternative routes out of the gulf.
The maritime friction follows an ongoing standoff over navigation rights. US officials previously warned that any vessel attempting to lay new mines in the shipping lanes would face immediate elimination, while Iranian officials condemned the American presence and maritime controls as a violation of sovereignty.
Washington Prepares Additional Financial Sanctions
Aside from kinetic military operations, Washington continues to ramp up economic pressure against Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Trump administration plans to impose sanctions on another bank this week in an effort to clamp down on Iran transactions.
This is going to be financial violence if we have to. We are showing people that we know who you are, you know who you are, and this has got to stop. Secretary Scott Bessent, via Associated Press
Official Reactions and Rhetorical Escalation
Political and military leadership on both sides exchanged harsh warnings following the Larak Island strike. Iranian state media broadcast sharp condemnations from military spokespersons, who characterized the American intervention as a critical miscalculation.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denounced the action by the United States as a strategic and deadly error, according to reports from state broadcaster IRIB, and vowed that Tehran would pursue comprehensive reprisals for the casualties sustained during the island bombardment.
Meanwhile, US Central Command pushed back against Iranian characterizations of the regional security environment. CENTCOM emphasized in official statements that Iran created the initial threat in the strait through offensive preparations, forcing American forces to take necessary defensive actions to preserve regional stability and open trade corridors.
