Washington, D.C. – Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on airbases in Jordan after the United States attacked Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the strait of Hormuz, the first such strikes in a month.
"I can confirm that earlier today US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak island," a US official said on Sunday. "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait of Hormuz."
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said the US attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens and would be met with a "response and punishment" from Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
Key developments:
- US strikes: Attacked Iranian launchers on Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz
- Iran response: IRGC launched ballistic missiles at US-operated airbases in Jordan
- Targets: King Hussein and al-Azraq airbases in Jordan
- US official: Iranian forces preparing to launch sea mines into the strait
- IRGC statement: "Response and punishment" from Tehran
- Damage: Iranian state TV reports "heavy damage" to bases
- US claims: All incoming missiles intercepted, no significant impact
- Six-month mark: Conflict hits six months since February 28 start
- Hormuz blockade: Previously carried 20% of world oil transit
- US service members: 18 killed in conflict so far
Wholesale · Nepal
Export · Worldwide
Nepal handmade exclusive products — from Himalayan woolens to sacred singing bowls, Lokta paper, silver jewelry, intricate carpets, Buddha statues, and felting crafts. Authentic, sustainable, and crafted with generations of tradition.
Shop Now · Nepal Art ShopIn response, the IRGC "targeted technical infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and enemy fighter jet positions at the US-operated King Hussein and al-Azraq airbases in Jordan" with ballistic missiles, causing "heavy damage", according to state TV.
A spokesperson said the US would pay for the attack economically and militarily, according to the semi-official news agency Fars.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the US attack was a drone strike.
Escalation After Month of Calm
On Sunday night, Reuters reported a US source as saying that all incoming missiles on US forces in Jordan had been intercepted with no significant impact so far.
The exchange of strikes came shortly after the US-Iran war hit the six-month mark, and at a time when hostilities had been subsiding.
The US said its attacks were aimed at preventing Iran from launching more sea mines into the strait, days after it announced it had completed clearing explosives from the strategic waterway.
Trump's Warning
Donald Trump said last week that all mines had been detonated or removed from the international waters of the strait of Hormuz and Iran had been told that any ship or boat placing new mines would be destroyed.
The last known US strikes on Iran were in late July and the war has reached a stalemate in recent weeks, with Washington threatening to impose costly sanctions on countries that support Iran.
Six Months of War
The US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February and Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states that host US bases. The Iran war has now crossed its six-month mark.
Diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, have tried for months to bring an end to the war to no avail. While a ceasefire was agreed in April and a memorandum of understanding towards a final peace deal was signed in June, no agreement has been forthcoming and Washington has since declared "economic warfare" against Tehran.
US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. Eighteen US service members have been killed in the conflict.
The war has led to the blockade of the strait of Hormuz, which before the conflict accounted for the transit of about a fifth of the world's oil barrels consumed.
🌍 The Big Picture
The US-Iran war has dramatically escalated with US strikes on Iranian launchers in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ballistic missile attacks on US-operated airbases in Jordan. The exchange marks the first known US attacks since July, coming just as the conflict crossed its six-month mark. The US said it struck to prevent Iran from launching sea mines into the strait, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards promised "response and punishment." Though the US claimed all incoming missiles were intercepted with no significant impact, the escalation threatens to upend already fragile diplomatic efforts and risks a broader regional conflict as the war continues to claim lives and disrupt global oil supplies.
What's Next
- Further strikes: Potential for continued escalation
- Diplomatic efforts: Mediation by Pakistan and Qatar
- Oil markets: Impact on global oil prices
- US military posture: Possible reinforcement of regional bases
- Iran response: Additional retaliation for US strikes
🌍 For more breaking news and updates: Visit NewsOrbit – World Breaking News for the latest headlines from around the globe.
