US struck Larak Island to prevent Iran mining Strait of Hormuz: Analysis

The US has struck Iran's Larak Island in a preemptive attack to prevent the IRGC from laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan. In an interview with Al Jazeera, former Pentagon Director of Arabian Peninsula Affairs David Des Roches said the specificity of the US operation suggests Washington is "actually doing what it says it is" by targeting missiles capable of laying mines. He said Iran's response will be "interesting to see" and noted the US is showing "unusual restraint", possibly due to the election runoff. Des Roches said Iran has "never been in full control" of the Strait but has a "disruptive capability" that can be exerted with a fraction of the effort needed to ensure control. He warned that "the longer they keep the Straits impeded, the less important it becomes", noting East Asian countries are already shifting their energy strategy away from the Gulf towards the US. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iran #UnitedStates #Jordan #IranWar #USAttacksIran #StraitOfHormuz #LarakIsland #HormuzMines #IranRetaliationAttacks #USIranEscallation #CENTCOM #IRGC #IranMissiles #HormuzCrisis #HormuzControl #AlJazeeraEnglish