The Iranian Revolutionary Guard accused the United States of attacking Larak Island, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with drones, and claimed that the operation left dead and injured among Iranian military and civilians.
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The Iranian military body also warned that it will respond to the offensive, which constitutes the first known U.S. attack on Iranian territory since late July, according to available background.
“This action will be responded to and will result in the punishment of the aggressor,” the Revolutionary Guard said in a statement broadcast by Iranian state television.
Tehran spoke of the “martyrdom and injuries of several of our fighters and compatriots,” although it has not yet provided an exact number of victims. A spokesperson for the body also described the operation as a “strategic and fatal error.”
The U.S. version was reported through Axios and CNN. An official cited by both outlets said that Washington forces attacked two Iranian launchers located on Larak, after detecting members of the Revolutionary Guard preparing to launch rockets loaded with naval mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
“Earlier today, U.S. forces attacked two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were observed preparing to launch rockets with naval mines toward the Strait of Hormuz,” said the official cited by Axios.
According to that version, the operation sought to prevent the deployment of new mines on one of the most important maritime routes for global trade and energy transport.
“We are closely monitoring the area and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce,” the U.S. source said.
Larak Island is located next to the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and constitutes a strategic route for global exports of oil and other energy products.
The attack occurred a few days after the United States claimed to have completed efforts to clear naval mines from the international navigation routes of the strait.
President Donald Trump had previously warned that any vessel attempting to place new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”
“There is a zero-tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The offensive also represents a new military episode after the collapse of talks aimed at reaching a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Washington had subsequently announced new sanctions against Tehran, although U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, had indicated that the Pentagon did not rule out carrying out new “kinetic attacks” if deemed necessary.
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