United States forces conducted strikes on two Iranian rocket launch sites on Larak Island on Sunday, according to a U.S. official. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing rockets armed with sea mines for launch into the Strait of Hormuz.
Larak Island is a small Iranian island located in the Persian Gulf at the eastern end of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global commerce.
This action follows statements from U.S. Central Command and President Trump last week asserting that the Strait had been cleared of mines. A U.S. official stated that forces are closely monitoring the area and remain prepared to ensure the free flow of commerce through the waterway.
Iran's IRGC responded that the U.S. military's Sunday night attack "will be responded to" and "will lead to punishment of the aggressor," according to a statement published by Iran's official news agency IRNA.