The United States said Sunday it had carried out air strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on a small island in the Strait of Hormuz, its first attacks on Iran since late July.

Washington said its attacks were aimed at preventing Iran from placing more sea mines in the strait, days after it announced it had completed clearing explosives from the waterway.

“US forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command wrote on X.

In recent weeks, the administration of US President Donald Trump has prioritised “economic warfare” over military strikes on Iran.

Tehran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic sea lane through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passed before the United States and Israel triggered hostilities with strikes on Iran on February 28.

“Last week, CENTCOM completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes,” said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command.

“US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” he said.

The last US strike on Iran before Sunday came on July 29 in response to “an attempted surprise attack on US forces” in the region, the US military said. Earlier in July, CENTCOM attacked Iran for 13 consecutive nights.

Throughout the war, Iran has fought back by striking US facilities and allies in the Gulf region, hitting targets in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

Its closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused pain around the world, including price hikes and shortages of fertiliser and energy.

Both main crude oil contracts rose at least two per cent on Monday.

AFP