US launches new strikes around Strait of Hormuz; Iran expands retaliation beyond Jordan
Tehran hit bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq as part of widened counterattack; Brent crude climbed to around $95.
Quick summary
The United States launched new airstrikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz following the August 30 Larak Island attack. Iran retaliated with Operation Punishment of the Aggressor, launching missiles and drones not only at US bases in Jordan but also at targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Jordan reported intercepting most incoming missiles with no casualties, while Iran claimed significant infrastructure damage. Brent crude rose to around $95 per barrel, more than 30% above pre-war levels, as markets priced in heightened Middle East supply risk.
Key points
- US forces conducted a new barrage of airstrikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after the Larak Island strike.
- Iran expanded its retaliation beyond Jordan, striking what it said were US assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq.
- Jordan's military reported intercepting most missiles; Iran claimed heavy damage at US-linked facilities.
- Brent crude climbed to around $95 per barrel, more than 30% above pre-war levels.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would reciprocate if Washington honoured the June Memorandum of Understanding.
How it unfolded
- New
War begins
The US and Israel launch Operation Epic Fury. Ali Khamenei is killed in the opening strikes.
- Changed
Ceasefire reached, then collapses
The first attempt to halt the fighting does not hold.
- Changed
Second attempt fails
A new memorandum of understanding fails to produce a lasting halt to the conflict.
- New
Operation Economic Outcast
Washington targets more than 60 Iran-linked entities with new sanctions.
- New
Hormuz corridor proposed
Iran and Oman propose a temporary shipping corridor through the strait, as Qatar also pursues mediation.
- ChangedContested
Strait declared cleared
CENTCOM announces that Iranian-placed mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz.
- New
US strike on Larak Island
US forces strike two IRGC rocket-launcher positions, saying they posed an imminent threat to shipping.
- New
Iran responds
The IRGC confirms casualties, condemns the attack and promises retaliation.
- NewContested
New escalation
Iran launches retaliatory missiles and drones toward US bases in Jordan and the UAE. Jordan reports intercepting eight missiles.
- New
Economic impact
Brent crude rises above $90 as markets react to renewed escalation.
- New
Iran appeals for interim deal compliance
Iran urges the US to comply with what it describes as an interim deal, while Trump threatens further strikes.
- New
US launches new strikes near Hormuz
The United States launches a new barrage of airstrikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz.
Claim tracker
16 confirmed · 6 contested · 4 unverified
- Confirmed
The US struck IRGC positions on Larak Island.
- Confirmed
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks on US bases in Jordan and the UAE.
- Confirmed
Previous ceasefire attempts failed.
- Confirmed
The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
- Confirmed
The Larak Island strike was the first known US strike on Iranian territory since late July.
- Confirmed
Trump has threatened further strikes against Iran.
- Confirmed
The conflict had shifted into an economic standoff before the Larak Island strike.
- Confirmed
Three Iranian soldiers were killed in the Larak Island strike.
Global Guardian and Migflug both cite casualty reports from Iranian state sources.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran's retaliation was named Operation Punishment of the Aggressor.
Wikipedia cites this as the IRGC's name for the retaliatory operation.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran struck US assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq in addition to Jordan.
Reuters and Global Guardian both report strikes in these additional countries.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The US launched new airstrikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz after the Larak Island attack.
Reuters, Investing.com, The Business Standard and Al-Monitor all report this.
4 agreeing - Confirmed
Brent crude climbed to around $95 per barrel.
NPR provides this specific figure.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Oil prices are more than 30% above pre-war levels.
NPR and The Business Standard both cite this benchmark.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
There was more than 30 days of relative calm before the Larak Island strike.
Global Guardian characterizes the period before August 30 as 30+ days of calm.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
The June Memorandum of Understanding declared an end to fighting but deferred key disputes.
The Business Standard describes the MOU in these terms.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
About 20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Britannica provides this figure.
1 agreeing - Contested
The Strait of Hormuz is under US control.
- Contested
The number of Iranian military and civilian casualties is established.
- Contested
Iran's retaliatory missiles were successfully intercepted.
- Contested
The scale of the oil-price reaction is agreed.
- Contested
Iran's nuclear programme has been set back 8–12 years.
- Contested
The US military and economic cost of the campaign is known.
- Unverified
An Iranian attack on shipping was imminent, as the US stated.
- Unverified
Kharg Island was under attack, as depicted in an AI-generated clip posted by Trump.
- Unverified
There is an interim deal between the US and Iran that Iran wants the US to comply with.
- Unverified
The rocket launchers on Larak Island were attempting to disperse sea mines.
What we still don't know
- What is the nature and content of the interim deal Iran is referencing?
- Whether an Iranian attack from Larak Island was actually imminent.
- The verified casualty toll from the Iranian retaliation.
- The extent of damage to US bases—Iran claims heavy damage while Jordan reports no casualties.
- Whether this escalation effectively ends the ceasefire framework.
- Whether further Iranian or US strikes will follow.
- The true extent of damage to Iran's nuclear programme.
- What activities were underway at the Larak Island launcher sites—imminent attack or mine dispersal?
- The precise targets and effects of the new US airstrikes around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Whether tanker traffic through the strait has been disrupted despite continued flows.
- What reciprocal steps Iran expects from the US under the June Memorandum of Understanding.
US–Israel war with Iran
- US strike on Larak Island triggers Iranian retaliation
- Trump threatens further strikes as Iran appeals for compliance with interim deal
- Brent crude hits intraday high near $99, settles around $96–$97 as Iran strikes expand to Kuwait
- Hormuz shipping collapses to lowest since May as US, Iran engage in tanker war
- US destroys five Iranian oil tankers after IRGC missile attack on warships
- Brent crude breaks $100 as US strikes five more Iranian tankers and Hormuz traffic falls to six vessels
- Brent crude surges to $105.26 as Iran claims attack on 10 vessels near Hormuz
- Hormuz shipping traffic collapses to seven vessels as oil prices hold above $100
- Brent crude breaks $108 as new strikes hit Iranian ship and Saudi pipeline
- Hormuz traffic collapses to four vessels as Brent holds above $107
- Brent jumps to $108–$109 as Saudi East–West pipeline shut down
- Brent retreats below $105 as Aramco targets partial pipeline restart within days
- Saudi Aramco suspends crude deliveries to India as pipeline repairs begin
Sources analysed
8 outlets in the analysed roster.
- Reuters — US-Iran strikes raise fears of renewed war across the Middle East
- CBS News — Jordan and Bahrain face Iranian missiles and drones as US strikes Iran’s Larak Island
- NPR — Iran fires on Gulf states in retaliation for U.S. strikes
- Investing.com (via Reuters) — US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz
- Global Guardian — 30+ Days of Calm Ends in Renewed U.S.–Iran Strikes
- Migflug Afterburner — US Strikes Iran's Air Defences as Missiles Hit Jordan Base
- Wikipedia — 2026 Larak Island attack
- The Business Standard — US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz