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US forces struck two launchers belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Larak Island on August 30 2026. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins a Central Command spokesman stated that IRGC forces had been observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Hawkins added that US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway according to a statement shared with Reuters and Politico.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strike killed and wounded several military personnel and civilians Iranian state media reported. The IRGC vowed a response and punishment for what it called an attack carried out by drones according to the Tasnim news agency affiliated with the force. Spokesman Hossein Mohebbi described the action as a strategic and fatal mistake by the Trump regime for which the enemy will pay consequences in both the economic and military fields.
In retaliation the IRGC launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting two US bases in Jordan according to statements published by Iranian outlets including Fars News and Sepah News. The strikes focused on the King Hussein and Al-Azraq facilities where they hit technical and maintenance infrastructure along with areas housing fighter jets inflicting heavy damage the IRGC claimed. A US source cited by Fox News reported that nearly all incoming missiles were intercepted with no significant impact at the bases.
Jordan’s armed forces intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace at dawn a statement distributed via the Petra News Agency confirmed. The interceptions followed the IRGC’s announcement of the retaliatory operation against the US positions. Jordanian officials provided no immediate details on casualties from the exchange.
President Donald Trump had announced the previous week that all Iranian mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz had been detonated or removed while warning that any ship or boat placing new mines would be immediately destroyed. Trump also shared AI-generated videos on Truth Social showing explosions at Iranian oil infrastructure including a post captioned Kharg Island being blown to smithereens. Iran dismissed the claims as propaganda deception according to Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi while the US renewed sanctions on August 24 as part of an economic isolation campaign that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent termed Operation Economic Outcast.
Central Command data indicate that US forces have escorted about 1300 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since May 2026 enabling the movement of more than 660 million barrels of oil. Kpler shipping analysis showed daily commodity transits slipping to seven vessels on some days in late August well below the pre-conflict average of 125 ships per day. The conflict which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 has stretched into its seventh month after Iranian responses that included attacks on Israel US bases and Gulf states along with a temporary closure of the waterway that handles roughly one fifth of global oil and LNG flows.
