Washington, August 31: The U.S. military targeted two launchers on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday, according to Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Hawkins stated that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the U.S. military is closely monitoring the area and is prepared to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through this critical maritime route.
Larakh Island is a small island located near Iran’s Bandar Abbas coast, situated east of Qeshm Island and south of Hormuz Island.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, the IRGC claimed that several military personnel and civilians were killed or injured during the alleged “U.S.-Israeli” attack on Larak Island on Sunday night. The IRGC announced through its official news outlet, Sepah News, that there would be a response to this attack and that the “attackers will be punished.”
Semi-official Tasnim News Agency in Iran reported, citing unofficial sources, that at least two people died and two others were injured in this purported U.S. drone strike.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that a U.S. official stated the military action was taken after observing Iranian forces preparing to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The official confirmed that two Iranian launchers were targeted during this operation. U.S. Central Command had completed the removal of mines from international maritime routes the previous week. This incident marks the first military action by the U.S. against Iranian positions in over a month.
Additionally, semi-official Fars News Agency reported that a loud explosion was heard on Larak Island on Sunday night. Prior to this, U.S. President Donald Trump had issued a stern warning to Tehran following the removal of mines from the main maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social, “Any ship or boat involved in laying new mines will be destroyed immediately and systematically.” He reiterated that the U.S. maintains a “zero tolerance” policy against mine-laying activities.
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