Iran-US strike in Strait of Hormuz
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday. The strike is the first publicly acknowledged U.S. attack on Iran in nearly a month.
Background
The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in a conflict that has lasted over six months, leading to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about a fifth of the world's oil supply. The U.S. military had paused its campaign in late July, but tensions remained high. On Sunday, U.S. forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island after observing Revolutionary Guard forces preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait.
How it unfolded
- late July 2026The last known U.S. strikes on Iran occurred, and a two-week U.S. military campaign in the Strait of Hormuz was paused.
- last weekThe U.S. military finished clearing all mines from the strait's main shipping lane.
- Aug 30, 2026U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, the first publicly acknowledged strike in nearly a month.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CENTCOM said the strike was a 'limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat' to the strait.
- Iran
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards acknowledged the strike, reported casualties, and said it would result in 'punishment of the aggressor.'
Still unverified
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens, but these casualty figures have not been independently verified.