US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks

On August 31, 2026, US forces conducted a strike on two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, the first known US attack on Iran since late July. The strike killed two people and injured two others, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which vowed response and punishment. US Central Command (Centcom) said it took 'limited, precise action' against 'minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz'. In response, Iran said it struck US military bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles, with Jordan's army intercepting eight missiles. Iran also claimed to have targeted Al-Minhad Air Base in the UAE with drones, but the UAE denied the report, though it confirmed shooting down a drone. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global shipping, and its closure has caused oil price fluctuations. Iran has been demanding tanker traffic pass by Larak Island for checks and reportedly forcing vessels to pay $2 million to cross. The US strike is part of an ongoing conflict that began in February, with the US and Israel launching wide-ranging strikes on Iran and Iran responding by attacking Israel, US bases, and Gulf states, effectively closing the strait. The US has also imposed a naval blockade and new sanctions on Iran.