U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first known military action in weeks, according to a U.S. official. The Islamic Major Guard Corps (IRGC) had been observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait, the official said.

Iran Condemns Attack, Threatens Retaliation

The IRGC confirmed the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and civilians, according to Iranian state media — a spokesperson said the U.S. would face economic and military consequences, according to the semi-official news agency Fars. The Major Guard denounced the strike as an act by the “American-Zionist enemy” and warned of “punishment.”

Iranian state media reported that at least two people were killed and two others wounded in the U.S. attack, according to reports from the U.S. Central Command (Centcom). The IRGC claimed there were “martyrs and wounded” among its fighters and said the attack was an attempt to regain credibility and justify the aggressor’s actions to public opinion.

Escalation Amid Ongoing Conflict

This attack comes amid ongoing tensions in the region. The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, prompting a response from Iran, which conducted its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states that host U.S. bases. The war has now entered its seventh month and has led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route before the conflict.

Eighteen U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict, according to reports; U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. The U.S. has also threatened to impose costly sanctions on countries that support Iran.

On Sunday night, Reuters reported a U.S. source as saying Iran had launched an attack on U.S. forces in Jordan in apparent retaliation; the source added that all incoming missiles had been intercepted, with no significant impact so far.

U.S. Clears Mined Waters, Warns of Consequences

Donald Trump said last week that all mines had been detonated or removed from the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, though the U.S. government has warned Iran that any ship or boat placing new mines would be destroyed.

The U.S. military completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes last week; the last known U.S. strikes on Iran occurred in late July, and the war has since reached a stalemate. Tensions continue to rise as both sides accuse each other of escalating hostilities.