US and Iran Exchange Direct Fire in the Strait of Hormuz and Jordan

The US struck two rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz after detecting preparations to fire sea mines into the waterway. This action prompted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to launch a retaliatory missile-and-drone attack on two US bases in Jordan.

US strikes Larak Island

US forces struck two rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday night in what were the first known American strikes on Iran since late July. A US official stated that IRGC forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command described the operation as a “limited, precise action” against IRGC mine-laying forces that posed an “imminent threat” to shipping.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the strike was carried out by drones, while Iranian media noted explosions near Larak Island. The IRGC announced that several Iranian soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the attack, though they did not provide a precise toll, and vowed “response and punishment”.

Iran retaliates against US bases in Jordan

The IRGC stated that its aerospace force responded by launching a combined missile-and-drone operation against two US air bases in Jordan. In a statement on Telegram shortly before 3am Dubai time on Monday, the IRGC claimed it used ballistic missiles to target technical and maintenance infrastructure as well as locations at King Hussein and Al Azraq air bases where US fighter aircraft were stationed. The IRGC asserted that the strikes caused “heavy damage”, without offering evidence or a detailed assessment.

Jordan reported that it intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace, destroying them before they could pose a threat to civilians or property. Iranian state media reported casualties but omitted a precise toll. A Fox News reporter indicated that nearly all incoming missiles had been “intercepted at this point” while highlighting a lack of significant impact.

Why the US struck Larak Island

Larak Island is situated in the Strait of Hormuz, near Iran's key southern port of Bandar Abbas and close to the main shipping lanes at the mouth of the Gulf. The US strikes occurred days after Washington announced it had cleared mines from international shipping routes in the strait. Centcom's commander, Adm Brad Cooper, stated on Friday that US forces utilized divers, special operations forces, and aircraft to clear internationally recognized shipping lanes of Iranian sea mines, enabling nearly 1,500 commercial vessels to safely transit the waterway carrying almost 750 million barrels of crude oil to global markets. US President Donald Trump had warned last week that any Iranian vessel attempting to lay new mines would be destroyed.

Trump posts AI video of Kharg Island attack

US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on his social media overnight depicting Iran's energy hub of Kharg Island being “blown to smithereens”, though he provided no further details. The US military has not confirmed any strike on Kharg Island. As Iran's primary oil export hub, Kharg Island handled about 90 per cent of Iranian oil exports before the conflict, meaning a confirmed attack there would represent a major escalation beyond the operations on Larak Island.