Key facts
- Two people were killed and two others wounded in a US drone attack on Larak Island.
- The US stated the action was taken after observing Iran preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines.
- Iran claimed to have retaliated by striking US military bases in Jordan and an air base in the UAE.
- Jordan confirmed intercepting missiles, while the UAE denied being targeted but confirmed shooting down a drone.
- Larak Island is located in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global shipping.
Two people were killed and two others wounded in a US drone strike on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. US Central Command (Centcom) stated it took "limited, precise action" after observing Iran preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed "response and punishment" following the strike. Iran subsequently claimed it had struck US military bases in Jordan and an air base in the UAE. Jordan's army confirmed it intercepted eight missiles early on Monday morning, while the UAE's Ministry of Defence denied reports of being targeted but confirmed shooting down a drone.
The US strike is the first known attack on Iran since late July. Larak Island is strategically located offshore from Bandar Abbas and sits directly on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed before the current conflict began. The strait has been effectively closed since February, leading to significant fluctuations in oil prices. Iran has reportedly been demanding payments from vessels seeking to pass through the strait.