US and Iran Trade Claims Over Strikes in Strait of Hormuz
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it struck Iranian targets on the night of August 31 to prevent Iranian forces from mining the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. The command rejected a claim by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that the strikes constituted an "act of aggression."
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said: "FACT: S. forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz. In essence, Iran created the threat and the S. military eliminated it to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce."
The command said the strikes were conducted following alleged attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the strait. The United States has not provided independent evidence of the mining threat, and its account was immediately contested by Iranian officials.
Tehran Responds
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that Washington's claims that Tehran mined the strait were a "pretext" for resuming strikes on Iran. He added that Washington's actions will inevitably lead to increased tension in the strait, according to Sputnik News.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, said the United States is trying to ensure the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran is not allowing this.
Explosions Reported on Larak Island
Media reports said several explosions were heard on the Iranian island of Larak in the Strait of Hormuz. Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing an unnamed American official, reported that the US had struck, presumably, Iranian missile launchers on Larak.
Iranian media, including Press TV, reported that Iran had fired missiles at US vessels in the strait, as well as at US bases in Western Asia. These reports could not be independently confirmed.
Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. Both the United States and Iran have repeatedly warned of disruptions to shipping in the area amid rising tensions.
The latest strikes mark another escalation in the long-running standoff between Washington and Tehran. The two countries have accused each other of threatening maritime security in the region.
As of now, there has been no official US confirmation of the reported missile attacks on its vessels, and no comment from the Pentagon on the Iranian claims.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to trade accusations. The international community has urged restraint, but no formal diplomatic response has been announced.