A fresh and potentially dangerous escalation is unfolding in the Middle East after the US strikes Iran for the first time in around a month, targeting two launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded with ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting American military facilities in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its attacks were retaliation for US strikes on two Iranian launchers, which Tehran said caused deaths and injuries.
The US military carried out its first strikes inside Iran in around a month on Sunday, targeting Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said two Iranian launchers were targeted.
“Earlier, US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island,” CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said.
According to the US military, members of the IRGC had been observed preparing to launch missiles carrying naval mines towards the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC said the American strikes caused “deaths and injuries”, but did not provide a specific number of casualties. It subsequently vowed to retaliate.
Iran targets US facilities in Jordan
Shortly afterwards, the IRGC announced that it had carried out its response, launching attacks against US military facilities in Jordan.
According to the IRGC, ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles were used in direct retaliation for the US strikes on Larak.
The Iranian attacks targeted technical and maintenance facilities, as well as aircraft stationed at two bases in Jordan.
The IRGC warned that “any new hostile action” would result in “even stronger retaliation”.
Jordan’s armed forces later announced that they had intercepted and destroyed eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace. They did not specify where the missiles had been launched from.
The announcement came shortly after Iran said it had targeted two bases hosting US military personnel and assets in the Hashemite kingdom.
Iran says it attacked US base in UAE
Iranian forces also announced a drone attack on a military base in the United Arab Emirates where US troops are stationed.
The IRGC said it had targeted areas housing American helicopters and troops at Al Minhad Air Base with dozens of attack drones, according to a statement carried by Iranian state television.
The latest Iran US strikes represent a renewed escalation after a period in which fighting across the region had subsided, although sporadic incidents continued, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of tensions
The strategically vital waterway, through which around one-fifth of the world’s consumed hydrocarbons passed before the war, remains effectively closed under a decision by Tehran.
Iran has periodically targeted commercial vessels attempting to cross the strait without its permission, while the United States has responded by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf.
Captain Hawkins said CENTCOM completed a mine-clearing operation in international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz last week.
“US forces are closely monitoring the area and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” he said.
From war to ceasefire and renewed fighting
The Middle East war began on 28 February, when the United States and Israel jointly launched air strikes against Iran.
Tehran responded by targeting Washington’s allies in the Gulf.
A ceasefire agreed in April ended 40 days of intense exchanges involving air strikes, ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
The so-called Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed in mid-June and was intended to pave the way towards ending the armed conflict.
The agreement collapsed in July, however, and hostilities resumed. Diplomatic efforts have since remained deadlocked.
The latest Iran US strikes have now raised fresh concerns over the possibility of a broader escalation involving American forces and US allies across the region.
Washington increases economic pressure
Alongside its military operations, the US administration has signalled that it intends to intensify economic pressure on Iran, which has faced American and international sanctions for decades.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new series of so-called secondary sanctions last Monday. Rather than directly targeting Tehran, the measures are aimed at countries and businesses that trade with Iran.
They cover areas including maritime transport, aviation, digital assets, technology and gold.
Washington also announced sanctions against 60 individuals, companies and vessels accused of helping Iran generate oil revenue, acquire weapons and conduct cyber operations.
China also faces US pressure
China, the world’s second-largest economy and a crucial economic partner for Tehran, is among the countries at the centre of Washington’s pressure campaign.
Beijing responded by saying it would “firmly” defend Chinese interests and its cooperation with Iran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that his country faces “many economic difficulties”, but the Islamic Republic maintains that Washington will gain “nothing” through economic pressure.
Tehran has also ruled out returning to the previous arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz.
The situation remains unacceptable to the United States and its regional allies, which are demanding the full reopening of the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump has recently gone further, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz will become “American territory”.
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