US Forces Target Iranian Rocket Launchers in Strait of Hormuz Amid Renewed Tensions

POLICY WIRE — Washington, USA — US forces targeted Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, marking the first military action in a month. This move breaks a period of relative calm in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for over six months.

According to a US official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the military operations, forces from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps were preparing to launch rockets equipped with sea mines into the strait.

Last week, the US military completed the clearance of sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes. Reports from semiofficial Iranian news outlets indicated sounds of explosions near Larak island on the strait.

In a statement broadcasted by Iran’s state media, the Revolutionary Guard confirmed the martyrdom and injury of several fighters and compatriots, vowing that the attack would result in punishment for the aggressor.

This military action comes shortly after the Trump administration announced a shift in strategy, focusing on increasing economic pressure rather than military action to end the conflict with Iran. This change in approach is centered on threatening sanctions against any country or entity continuing to do business with Tehran.

The administration is considering this shift as it faces concerns over diminished munitions stockpiles after months of warfare, which could potentially undermine US military readiness in other global regions.

As the conflict continues, President Trump’s rhetoric about a swift end to the war seems to be diminishing. He recently emphasized that he is “not in a hurry” to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, asserting that Iran’s leadership is weakening.

Trump has consistently highlighted the devastating impact of the US and Israel’s campaign on Iran’s navy and air force. Iranian officials estimate the country has suffered $270 billion in direct and indirect damages. Israeli military strikes in the early stages of the war significantly disrupted Iran’s leadership structure.

Despite these losses, Iran has maintained leverage through its strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil normally flows. Iran retains sufficient drones and missiles to target vessels transiting the strait, effectively controlling much of the traffic.

Trump has repeatedly asserted that the “Strait of Hormuz is open,” noting that 24 vessels passed through last week. However, this is a small fraction of the approximately 130 vessels that used to transit the strait daily before the war began.

Earlier on Sunday, a multinational coalition led by the US Navy reported that commercial traffic through the strait remained at reduced levels. Additionally, a British military monitoring agency reported an unknown projectile striking a tanker ship on Saturday north of Khasab, Oman, in the strait.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization confirmed the ship was moving inbound, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. The incident was attributed to unspecified military authorities, and no immediate claim of responsibility was made.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)