The US has stated that Iran was preparing to launch rockets and sea mines.
The US military targeted two rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday. This was the first US attack on Iran since July 30.
The US military said it carried out the strike while members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were preparing to launch rockets and naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s semi-official media confirmed that explosions took place near Larak Island. Iranian media reported that the US attacked the island using a drone.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military said several soldiers and civilians were killed in the attack, while many others were injured. Iran has warned the US that it will retaliate.
Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Larak Island is in the middle of Hormuz
Larak Island is located near Iran’s major port, Bandar Abbas, and lies in the middle of the Strait of Hormuz. The sea route is extremely important to the world because, before the war, around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through it.
Reports say Iran is currently checking tankers passing near the island and charging ships up to $2 million, or around ₹19 crore, as a fee to cross the strait.
US military had recently removed naval mines
The US military completed the removal of naval mines from the international shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz last week. US President Donald Trump also said that all mines in international waters had been removed or neutralised.
Trump warned that any ship or boat trying to lay new naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz would be destroyed. A US official said the activities of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were being monitored.
Trump has already called Hormuz a US territory
US President Trump has previously referred to the Strait of Hormuz as ‘New US Territory’. On August 18, he spoke about US control over Hormuz for the first time.
He later shared a similar picture on Truth Social on August 23, showing Hormuz as American territory.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important to the world?
The Strait of Hormuz is a major sea route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. A large share of the world’s oil and gas trade passes through it. Before the conflict, around one-fifth of the world’s oil was transported through this route.
This is why rising tensions in Hormuz or disruption to shipping can directly affect crude oil supplies and prices. For the same reason, the growing military activity between the US and Iran in the area is being closely watched internationally.
US-Israel and Iran war has been ongoing since February
The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded by attacking Israel and Gulf countries where US military bases are located. The conflict has now continued for more than six months, and the situation has reached a stalemate in recent weeks.
Along with the attacks by the US and Israel, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have also caused heavy damage. Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the attacks. So far, 18 American soldiers are reported to have been killed in the conflict.
Hormuz divided into two routes after the war
Before the war, Hormuz was seen as a single maritime route, with ships following fixed paths. These routes were decided based on ports, shipping agreements and security arrangements. But as tensions between the US and Iran increased, discussions began about two separate routes in the area.
Iranian route: This route is in the northern part of Hormuz, close to Iran’s coast. It passes near Larak and Qeshm islands and connects to Iran’s ports and oil terminals.
Omani route: This route lies near Oman in the southern part of Hormuz and is farther from the Iranian coast. The US insists that ships should use this route. Many commercial vessels travelling under US Navy protection also use it.