The United States military struck Iranian rocket launchers positioned in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first offensive operation in a month, a U.S. official told the Associated Press. Explosions were reported near Larak Island, according to Iranian media. The unnamed official said Iranian forces were preparing rockets equipped with mines for launch into the waterway, a critical international trade route.
Following the strike, Tehran launched missile attacks that were directed toward Jordan, a U.S. official said, and were intercepted by regional defenses. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement warning that the U.S. attack would be answered by “the sons of Iran” and would result in punishment of the aggressor. When asked for comment, a Pentagon spokesperson directed inquiries to U.S. Central Command.
The conflict, which began in February after U.S. and Israeli forces targeted Iran, has settled into a stalemate. President Donald Trump defended the campaign on Fox News, asserting that the United States is winning despite the absence of a formal peace agreement. The administration has also pursued economic pressure, with the Treasury Department unveiling a multi‑pronged effort to cut off Iran’s financial lifelines, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said kinetic strikes remain an option.
The war has exacted a heavy toll. The World Health Organization estimates 3,375 Iranian deaths and more than 30,000 injuries, while the Pentagon reports 18 U.S. service members killed and hundreds wounded. Congressional testimony placed the war’s cost at over $37.5 billion, and fuel prices have risen as the Strait of Hormuz remains a chokepoint for roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments. A Reuters poll found 69 percent of Americans believe President Trump has not clearly explained the conflict’s objectives.
