US Strike Kills Three on Iran's Larak Island as Tehran Downs MQ-9 Drone
US Strike on Larak Island
US forces bombed Larak Island on Sunday in southern Iran's Hormozgan province. [2] The strike targeted launchers on the island in the Strait of Hormuz. [5] Three people were killed in the attack and several others were injured. [4] The US military said the strike aimed to prevent the launchers from sending naval mines into the Strait of Hormuz. [5] This action marked Washington's first attack on Iran since July. [2] Iranian state media reported the bombing of the site on Larak Island. [2] The incident involved strikes on Iranian launchers positioned in the southern province of Hormozgan. [4] Reports confirmed casualties among Iranian civilians and soldiers from the US bombing. [2]
Iranian Retaliation Measures
Iran responded by shooting down a US MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz. [1] The downing was carried out using a new advanced air defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force. [1] Iran also claimed attacks on US bases in Jordan and an airbase in the UAE. [5] Abu Dhabi denied that the Al Minhad airbase had been targeted. [5] The Revolutionary Guard stated the drone was detected and destroyed by the air defense system. [1] These measures followed the US strikes on Larak Island. [5] Iran said it responded directly to the American action with strikes on the specified US positions. [5]
Iranian official Abbas Araghchi speaks during a news conference in Tehran. — Source: middleeasteye
Statements from Iranian Leadership
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not looking for war. [2] He said Iran will give a decisive response to any further aggression. [2] Pezeshkian accused the US of not fulfilling its commitments. [5] Foreign Minister Araghchi blamed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for luring Washington into war on Iran. [2] The president spoke on Monday before travelling to Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. [2] He added that instability and unrest in the region are not in the interest of any country. [2] Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran would never sit still in the face of any aggression. [2]
Trump Administration Response
President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran hard following the exchange of fire. [3] The vow came after the first exchange of fire in over a month. [3] Trump threatened to hit Iran hard after the two sides traded fire for the first time in weeks. [3] The US carried out strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz late Sunday. [3] Tehran quickly retaliated by launching attacks on US positions. [3] The president made the statement in response to the recent strikes and counteractions. [5]
US strike on Larak Island launchers kills three after Iran downs MQ-9 drone. — Source: newsmax
Regional and Market Impact
The exchange of strikes caused oil prices to rise more than two percent. [5] The events raised fears of another escalation in the Israeli-US actions against Iran. [2] An Iranian woman walked past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran on 3 August 2026. [2] The developments occurred amid ongoing tensions in the region. [5] Oil prices responded directly to the reported strikes between the US and Iran. [5]
Background Context
The US strike on Larak Island marked Washington's first attack on Iran since July. [2] The exchange represented the first US-Iran strikes in more than a month. [5] Iran and the US have exchanged strikes for the first time in more than a month. [5] The timeline includes the US bombing on Sunday followed by Iranian responses. [2] This sequence followed a period without direct fire between the two sides. [3]
What to watch next: Further statements from President Pezeshkian on decisive responses to aggression and any additional actions by President Trump after the first exchange of fire in weeks.
