US forces struck Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday night, 30 August 2026, according to a US official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press. The IRGC confirmed strikes on the island and vowed retaliation, while Iran's Fars news agency reported an unspecified number of casualties.
US strikes Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island; IRGC vows retaliation
US forces struck Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday night, 30 August 2026, according to a US official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press. The IRGC confirmed strikes on the island and vowed retaliation, while Iran's Fars news agency reported an unspecified number of casualties.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that IRGC forces had been observed preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz prior to the strikes.
Both sources describe the action as the first US military strike against Iran in over a month. According to Deutsche Welle, the pause followed a decision by US President Donald Trump to halt attacks approximately one month ago.
Earlier in the week, US Central Command leader Admiral Brad Cooper announced that Iranian sea mines had been successfully cleared from the strait's international shipping lanes, according to Euronews. Deutsche Welle similarly reported that the US said last week it had finished clearing Iranian sea mines from the strait's international shipping routes.
In a statement reported by Iran's Fars news agency, the IRGC confirmed that the strikes hit Larak Island and warned the attack would be 'met with a retaliatory response,' according to Euronews. Deutsche Welle quoted the IRGC statement as saying the attack 'will be answered by the sons of Iran and will result in the punishment of the aggressor.'
According to Euronews, the Strait of Hormuz is a major energy transit chokepoint that typically carries around a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade. Iran effectively closed the waterway following US and Israeli strikes in late February, and the strait has since become a key point of contention in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
According to Deutsche Welle, the strikes on Larak Island were reportedly carried out by drones. Larak Island is located south of Hormuz Island and east of Qeshm Island.
Where sources differ
- The IRGC's retaliatory warning is quoted differently across the two sources: Euronews renders it as the attack would be 'met with a retaliatory response,' while Deutsche Welle quotes the IRGC statement as saying it 'will be answered by the sons of Iran and will result in the punishment of the aggressor.' Both are drawn from IRGC statements but may reflect different translations or statements.
- The exact number of casualties resulting from the strikes on Larak Island has not been established; the IRGC described casualties as unspecified.
- The type and number of US assets used in the strikes (beyond Deutsche Welle's reference to drones) are not confirmed by official sources in either article.
- The specific nature and status of ongoing US-Iran negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz are not detailed.
- No comment or response from the Iranian government beyond the IRGC statement is included in either source.
- The precise scope of damage to Iranian military infrastructure on Larak Island is not described.
- It is not established whether the US provided formal justification or public statement beyond the anonymous official's remarks to the AP.
- The basis or details of Trump's earlier decision to pause strikes are not explained in either source.