The United States said Sunday it had carried out strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on a small island in the Strait of Hormuz, its first attacks on Iran since late July.
“Earlier today, US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island,” a US Central Command spokesman said, adding that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards “were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.”
The strikes came shortly after the US-Iran war hit the six-month mark, and at a time when hostilities had been subsiding.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has prioritized “economic warfare” over military strikes against Iran.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic sea lane through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passed before the United States and Israel started hostilities with airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
“Last week, CENTCOM completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes,” said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command.
“US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” he said.
Diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, have tried for months to bring an end to the war to no avail.
While a ceasefire was agreed in April and a memorandum of understanding towards a final peace deal was signed in June, no agreement has been forthcoming and Washington has since declared “economic warfare” against Tehran.
A US naval counterblockade of Iranian ports is squeezing petrol supplies in Iran amid a shortfall of domestic production, as the US ramps up pressure on its foe.
The April ceasefire put an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks, mainly around the Strait of Hormuz, have dimmed the prospects of a final peace agreement.
In a statement on Friday, US Senator Jack Reed criticized President Donald Trump over the war.
“Six months later, not a single objective has been achieved,” said Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Indeed, he has weakened our position in the Middle East and the world significantly.”
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