The United States has carried out a new strike against Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, increasing tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to a U.S. official, American forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday. The launchers were reportedly operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). U.S. officials said they had been watching the launchers and saw Iranian personnel preparing rockets that were carrying naval mines. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Large numbers of oil tankers and other commercial ships use the narrow waterway to travel between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Any major disruption there could affect international trade and energy supplies. The U.S. says its latest strike was intended to prevent Iran from placing more mines in the water. Naval mines can seriously damage or destroy ships, making them a major threat to commercial shipping. The operation also comes shortly after the U.S. military said it had cleared previously detected mines from the main international shipping route through the Strait. President Donald Trump announced on August 25 that the main shipping lane had been cleared and warned Iran against placing new mines. The latest attack appears to be the first known U.S. strike inside Iran in several weeks. It shows that American forces remain focused on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for commercial ships. Iranian media reported explosions near Larak Island. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later acknowledged casualties among its forces and civilians and said it would respond to the U.S. attack. The exact number of casualties has not been independently confirmed. The United States says its forces are continuing to monitor the area and remain ready to protect the movement of commercial ships. The latest strike could further increase tensions and raise concerns about the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.