Iran Launches Drones at US Forces in UAE Air Base
Iranian Drone Strike on UAE Air Base
Iran says it targeted US forces at a UAE air base with explosive drones. Iranian army says the attack on Al Minhad Air Base is retaliation for the US strike on Larak Island. [1] Iran’s army says it attacked UAE’s Al Minhad Air Base with drones, state TV reports. [3] The Iranian army stated the drone attack on Al Minhad Air Base was retaliation for the US strike on Larak Island. [1] This action follows the US strikes on Iranian launchers observed on Larak Island. [4] The strikes represent the first known US military attacks in weeks amid ongoing tensions in the region. [4]
US Strike on Larak Island
A US official described the first known US military strikes since late July, noting that forces attacked two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. [4] Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz, the source added. [4] In a statement, the US Central Command said it took limited, precise action against minelaying forces of Iran's Revolutionary Guards that posed an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz. [4] The small Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz near the strategic port of Bandar Abbas overlooks shipping lanes at the mouth of the Gulf, giving it a key role in tension over Iran, maritime security and global energy supplies. [4] After the US strikes, Iran attacked US forces stationed in Jordan. [4]
Missile Attack on US Bases in Jordan
Iran responded by launching an attack on two US bases in Jordan, Iranian media said. [4] In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Jordan, targeting two US bases. [4] Jordan's armed forces had intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace, state television said. [4] Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens and vowed a response and punishment from Tehran, according to Iranian state media. [4] Nearly all incoming missiles have been intercepted at this point, according to a Fox News reporter citing a US source. [4]
Supertanker Struck in Strait of Hormuz
A supertanker caught fire and was brought to a complete halt after being struck by two naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz, Iran state TV reported on Monday, citing a statement by the Revolutionary Guards. [2] Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the tanker had been attempting to pass through the waterway illegally. [2] It did not identify the vessel or provide information about its crew. [2] It warned that other ships violating its security rules would face the same fate and said compliance with its regulations for passage through the Strait of Hormuz was mandatory. [2] Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are visible near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran. [2]
Downing of US Drone
Iran says it downed a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz. [5] Iranian forces say an MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed into the Gulf after being hit with missile fire, as tensions escalate following US strikes on Larak Island. [5] This report comes amid the broader exchange of fire between the US and Iran. [4]
Broader Context of Sanctions and Shipping Disruptions
The return to hostilities follows weeks in which the Trump administration has stepped up efforts to punish Tehran and its business partners with costly economic sanctions, shifting away from military options. [4] US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters on Sunday new secondary sanctions were likely to be unveiled weekly in the effort to pressure Iran, with an initial focus on banks. [4] After imposing penalties on the United Arab Emirates branches of Egypt's Banque Misr on Friday over alleged financial links to Iran, Bessent said the next step may be cutting off an institution entirely from the dollar-based financial system. [4] Amid threats to shipping, the number of visible commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz dropped to five a day over the weekend, shipping data showed. [4] The actual number could be higher as some vessels have switched off automatic identification systems to evade attacks. [4] Last week, US President Donald Trump said all mines had been detonated or removed from the international waters of the strait and Iran had been warned that any vessel placing new mines would be destroyed. [4] While Trump has repeatedly said the Strait of Hormuz is open, Iran's Revolutionary Guards' navy had called those statements an obvious lie, reiterating that it remained closed to ships without Iranian permission. [4] The waterway carried nearly a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before it was blockaded in the six-month-old Iran war. [4]
What to watch next: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated new secondary sanctions are likely to be unveiled weekly with an initial focus on banks, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that other ships violating its security rules in the Strait of Hormuz would face the same fate as the supertanker.
