U.S. strikes Iranian launchers near Strait of Hormuz

US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak on Sunday, the Pentagon said, after Tehran allegedly added sea‑mines to its missile arsenal. The attack was a response to what Washington claims is a new Iranian capability to fire mines from rockets into the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that sees more than 20 % of the world’s oil shipments. The U.S. said the strike destroyed several launchers and damaged a storage facility, but no casualties were reported.

The move comes amid a sharp rise in tensions between the two sides over the past weeks. Iran has been developing new missile systems that could reach the Strait, a chokepoint that the U.S. and its allies see as vital for global energy security. The United States has repeatedly warned that any Iranian attempt to block the strait would trigger a military response. In turn, Tehran has denied that it has a mine‑launching system, saying the reports are exaggerated.

Analysts say the claim is plausible but not yet proven. Some experts point to Iran’s history of using unconventional tactics in conflicts, while others note that deploying sea mines from rockets would be unprecedented and would require sophisticated targeting and delivery systems. The Pentagon’s brief did not provide technical details, and the Iranian government has not released any evidence of such a system. The lack of independent confirmation fuels skepticism, but the U.S. has already upgraded its monitoring of Iranian military activity in the region.

If the U.S. continues to target Iranian launchers, the risk of a wider conflict rises. Shipping companies may increase security measures in the Hormuz corridor, and other regional powers could be drawn into the dispute. Iran could retaliate with its own strikes or by expanding its missile stockpile. The international community watches closely, as any escalation could disrupt oil flows and trigger a new arms race in the Persian Gulf.