U.S. Military Strikes Iranian Rocket Launchers on Larak Island

The United States military conducted airstrikes on Sunday against Iranian rocket launchers located on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. government stated the operation was necessary to prevent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from launching rockets loaded with sea mines into the strategic waterway, which would create a new threat to international shipping.

Reports indicate Iran has promoted the Fajr-5 Multiple Launch Rocket System as a mining tool since January 2025. If operational, this capability would allow Iran to deploy mines more rapidly than traditional boat-based methods and potentially bypass U.S. detection. Such a capability would counter previous claims by President Donald Trump that the Iranian navy had been completely destroyed.

Some maritime security experts have expressed skepticism regarding the strikes, suggesting the rocket-mining capability is unlikely or may be war propaganda used to justify the military action.