Archive · 31 Aug 2026
US Strikes Larak Launchers; Iran Attacks US Bases in Jordan
The United States attacked two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island.
US officials said the launchers were being prepared to fire sea mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said the attack killed and wounded Iranian soldiers and civilians.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard then said it attacked two US military bases in Jordan.
The Guard claimed its missiles and drones damaged buildings and locations used by fighter aircraft.
Jordan said it stopped eight missiles from entering its airspace.
A US source said nearly all the incoming weapons were intercepted and caused no major damage.
The attacks happened after a pause in US strikes on Iran since late July.
US forces struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday.
The United States said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s IRGC said it retaliated with missiles and drones against the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases in Jordan.
Jordan said its air defenses intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace on Monday.
Iran claimed major damage at the bases, while a US source reported no significant damage to American positions.
- Who
- The United States, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Jordanian armed forces.
- What
- The United States struck Iranian rocket launchers, followed by Iran’s claimed missile-and-drone attack on US military sites in Jordan.
- When
- The US strike occurred on Sunday; the Iranian attack and Jordan’s interception of eight missiles were reported on Monday, August 31, 2026.
- Where
- The initial strike occurred on Larak Island in Iran, while the reported retaliation targeted the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases in Jordan.
- Why
- The United States said the launchers posed an imminent threat because they were being prepared for naval-mine operations toward the Strait of Hormuz; Iran described its attack as retaliation.
US and Jordanian accounts
Iranian account
Purpose of the Larak strike
US and Jordanian accounts
The United States said the launchers were being prepared for an imminent naval-mine operation toward the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian account
Iran described the strike as aggression, said it caused Iranian military and civilian casualties, and vowed a response and punishment.
Effect of Iran’s retaliation
US and Jordanian accounts
Jordan said eight missiles were intercepted, and a US source said nearly all incoming fire was stopped without significant damage to US positions.
Iranian account
The IRGC claimed its missile-and-drone operation destroyed technical and repair infrastructure and fighter deployment sites at the targeted bases.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
US and Jordanian accounts
The United States has continued maritime operations connected to its blockade of Iran, including redirecting commercial vessels.
Iranian account
The IRGC said the attacks would not weaken Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that future attacks would draw stronger responses.
- Initial US strike
- Two IRGC rocket launchers were struck on Larak Island, in what was described as the first known US attack on Iran since late July.
- US justification
- US Central Command said the launchers were being prepared to launch rockets carrying sea mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian retaliation
- The IRGC said it conducted a combined missile-and-drone operation called “Punishment of the Aggressor” against the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases.
- Jordanian interception
- Jordan’s armed forces said air defenses intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace at dawn on Monday.
- Competing damage claims
- The IRGC claimed destruction of technical, repair, and fighter deployment infrastructure, while a US source reported no significant damage to American positions.
- Iranian casualty claim
- Iranian state media said the US strike killed and wounded several Iranian fighters and civilians.
- Strait shipping
- Visible commodity-vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to five vessels per day over the weekend, although the actual total could have been higher.
