US forces have struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, August 31, marking the first known US strikes on Iran since late July, a US official said. Several people were reportedly killed and injured in the attack.
US official confirms strikes on launchers
A US official said: "I can confirm that earlier today U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into Strait of Hormuz."
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens. It added that the strikes will be met with "response and punishment" from Tehran, according to Iranian state media.
Escalation in ongoing conflict
The attack marks a major escalation in the conflict, which sparked after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran retaliated by striking American allies in the Middle East and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of global oil passed before the war.
This is a developing story.
