US strikes Iran’s Lark Island in first attack in weeks

IRGC says attack in southern Iran killed and injured several soldiers.

The United States has struck Lark Island in southern Iran in the first attack against the country since late July, a US official has confirmed to Al Jazeera.

Tehran vowed to retaliate for Sunday’s attack. The strikes risk renewing the military confrontation as the US shifts from the bombing campaign to a financial pressure strategy in the six-month US-Israel war on Iran.

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The US official said the strikes targeted launchers that were set to fire rockets carrying mines towards the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Fars News Agency had reported that explosions were heard near the island. Later on Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack by the “American-Zionist enemy”, saying that it resulted in the killing and injuring of several soldiers.

“This act will be responded to by the sons of Islamic Iran and will result in punishment of the aggressor,” the IRGC said in a statement.

In recent weeks, the US has been claiming control over the strategic waterway, saying that it is managing to get millions of barrels of oil through the strait under its military protection even as Iran blockades the waterway.

Still, attacks on ships in Hormuz have been reported almost daily, and Iran has maintained that the strait is closed.

Sunday’s strikes show that the US is still willing to use military force despite the focus on sanctions to pressure Iran to make concessions over its nuclear programme and claims of control over Hormuz.

Iran has previously responded to similar US attacks by launching missiles and drones at military bases hosting US troops in neighbouring countries.