US strike marked first strike in months on Iran
US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz late Sunday, in their first confirmed military action against Iran in a month, breaking a weeks-long lull in fighting. Meanwhile Iran international also reported that explosions were heard at US bases on Qatar. These attacks have not been confirmed by US officials. Tim Hawkins, a Centcom spokesperson, said the US military had observed the preparations, reported AP.
Iran quickly vowed retaliation, with state television later showing what it said were ballistic missiles fired at US bases in Jordan. Jordanian forces said they intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace early Monday. The US Central Command alleged Iran’s Revolutionary Guard forces had been preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when they were targeted. The US had completed clearing sea mines from international shipping routes in the strait the previous week.
President Donald Trump later said on August 1 that he would hold off on further strikes following appeals from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Earlier reporting noted: US-Iran War Live Updates: Trump Announced Iran War Strategy Shift Days Before Strike US-Iran War Live Updates: Trump Announced Iran War Strategy Shift Days Before Strike Earlier reporting noted: US-Iran War Live Updates: US Said It Would Focus On Sanctions, Then Attack Happened US-Iran War Live Updates: US Said It Would Focus On Sanctions, Then Attack Happened Earlier reporting noted: This strike comes just days after the Trump administration said it was changing course.
The strike marked the first confirmed US attack on Iran since July 29, when Washington said it had launched a “heavy wave of strikes” against dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets, including coastal surveillance and defence sites. The latest military action came days after the Trump administration said it would prioritise economic pressure over further strikes in an effort to force Tehran to end the war. The head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament Ebrahim Azizi condemened the attack saying on X (translated from Farsi), “Retesting our will only makes the cost of your humiliating defeats even heavier. Undoubtedly, no crime, at any level, goes unanswered; a response that is devastating, more painful, and instructive, which will complete the chain of your failures. Wait in fear and terror! He then made another statement in English adding, “Test our will once more, and pay a heavier price. Retaliation is coming; JUST RUN! The strategy involved threatening sanctions against countries and entities that continue doing business with Iran. Instead of military strikes, it planned to focus on economic pressure to end the war with Iran. The new plan relies on threats to punish any country or company that keeps doing business with Tehran.