Iran strikes US bases in Jordan and reportedly in UAE after US bombs Larak Island

Iran and the United States have traded direct strikes for the first time in weeks, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks on US bases in Jordan and the UAE after American forces bombed two rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island.

US Central Command (Centcom) said it took "limited, precise action" after observing Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces preparing to "launch rockets and deploy sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz." The IRGC confirmed the attack killed two people and injured two others, vowing "response and punishment."

Iran's state TV reported that the Iranian army had struck US military bases in Jordan, with Jordan's army saying it intercepted eight missiles early Monday morning. Iran also claimed to have targeted Al-Minhad Air Base in the UAE with drones, though the UAE's Ministry of Defence denied the reports as "unfounded" while confirming it shot down a drone.

On Tuesday, Iran escalated further, claiming the US bombed a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz and striking targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan in retaliation, according to Iranian state media.

The US strike is the first known attack on Iran since President Donald Trump paused a renewed military campaign in late July. Larak Island, a roughly 30-square-mile island off the coast of the key port of Bandar Abbas, sits directly on the Strait of Hormuz—a vital waterway through which some 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas once traveled before the conflict began in February.

The strait has been effectively closed since the start of the war, causing wild fluctuations in oil prices. Iran is currently demanding that tanker traffic pass by Larak Island for checks and reportedly forcing vessels to pay $2 million to cross.

Why This Matters

The exchange of direct strikes between the US and Iran threatens to widen a conflict that has already closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and energy markets.
Iran's retaliatory attacks on Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain draw multiple US allies into the crossfire, potentially triggering broader regional instability.
The US strike—the first on Iranian soil since July—signals that the pause in military operations may be ending, raising the prospect of sustained US-Iran hostilities.

Background

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Before the conflict began in February 2026, roughly 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait. The war has effectively closed the waterway, with Iran using Larak Island as a base to intercept and inspect tanker traffic, reportedly demanding $2 million per vessel to cross. The US had paused its military campaign against Iran in late July but resumed strikes after observing what it said were preparations to mine the strait.

Key Perspectives

United States: US Central Command describes its strike as "limited, precise action" to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines and rockets into the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international waterway. Washington frames the operation as defensive, aimed at protecting freedom of navigation. Iran: The IRGC views the US bombing of Larak Island as an act of aggression, claiming it killed two people and injured two others. Tehran has vowed "response and punishment" and appears to be escalating retaliatory strikes across the region. Critics/Skeptics: Analysts warn that the tit-for-tat strikes risk spiraling into a broader war that could destabilize the entire Persian Gulf region, drawing in US allies such as Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The UAE's denial that its air base was targeted, despite confirming shooting down a drone, highlights the fog of war and the potential for miscalculation.

What to Watch

Whether the US or Iran escalates further, for example, by targeting strategic infrastructure like Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal or US naval assets.
Oil price movements and any emergency statements from OPEC or major energy-consuming nations.
Diplomatic reactions from key regional players—Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Qatar—who may attempt to mediate de-escalation.

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