US Strikes Iran for the First Time in a Month — US Says IRGC Spotted ‘Preparing to Launch Rockets’

U.S. forces struck Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz Sunday following a month-long lull in fighting.

CNN’s Julia Benbrook reported that the strikes targeted two Iranian launchers on the island that were preparing to launch mines into the Strait of Hormuz, which had been cleared of all mines last week.

“A U.S. official tells us that this took place after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Forces were observed preparing rockets with sea mines to launch at the Strait of Hormuz,” Benbrook said, continuing:

That critical waterway, of course, has been a key area of focus during this now, more than six-month long conflict. Now, this official went on to say that U.S. Forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway. And Trump has previously said that there would be no hesitation when it comes to the U.S. Military shooting down boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, it was just last week that Trump and his administration made it clear that they wanted to ramp up economic pressure on Iran. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent had referred to it as “Economic D-day,” and they did announce plans to put pressure on Iran and countries doing business with Iran. We’re somewhat vague in the rollout of those plans, but they’ve made it clear that that’s how they want to act going forward, is by putting this economic this financial pressure on Iran. And all of this is taking place as poll after poll has shown, that the majority of Americans do not approve of the way that Trump has handled this conflict so far.

A U.S. official told Axios’s Barak Ravid that U.S. forces are “monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce” through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The IRGC said in a statement the U.S. attack ‘will be answered by the sons of Iran and will result in the punishment of the aggressor,'” Ravid reported.

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