PiCK
US Hits Iran’s Larak Island for First Time in a Month, Striking Hormuz Mine Launchers
Summary
- The US military said it struck two launch sites on Iran’s Larak Island that were preparing to fire rockets carrying naval mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
- Washington’s first direct strike on Iran in about a month has reignited military tensions and raised the risk of further clashes.
- Disruptions and uncertainty in global crude oil shipments are growing because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil supply.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Military tensions between the US and Iran are rising again after Washington directly struck Iranian territory for the first time in about a month.
Reuters reported on August 30 that the US military carried out airstrikes on two launch sites on Iran’s Larak Island. A US government official said the attack was launched after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, was seen preparing to fire rockets carrying naval mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
The strike was the first known direct US attack on Iran since late July. In recent weeks, military clashes between the two sides had eased, with Washington focusing more on economic pressure than direct military action against Tehran. The latest strike has put the spotlight back on whether the conflict could widen again.
Iran immediately vowed retaliation. State media reported that the Revolutionary Guard said several soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the attack and pledged “response and punishment” against the US. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency said the US military used drones in the attack on Larak Island.
The strike came only days after the US declared mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz complete. President Donald Trump said last week that all mines in the strait’s international waters had been destroyed or removed. He warned that if Iran laid new mines, the US would destroy the vessels transporting them.
The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and Iran responded by striking Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military bases. The conflict has lasted for more than six months. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced by US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. The US military has also reported 18 deaths.
The latest direct US strike is also set to deepen uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies. Before the war, the strait carried shipments equivalent to about 20% of global oil consumption. Since the conflict began, crude flows have continued to face disruption because of the waterway’s closure.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.