A US official said, "I can confirm that earlier today U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into Strait of Hormuz."
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Monday morning that it had launched ballistic missiles at the Mawaffak Salti base—operated by the US military—in the Aqaba region of southern Jordan.
Regional media confirmed that loud explosions were heard near the US base in Aqaba. But, it remains unclear whether the blasts were caused by Iranian missiles or by Jordanian air defense interception.
The IRGC vowed to deliver a devastating retaliatory blow against US forces. It said one soldier was killed and about ten others were wounded in the US strike.
The escalation came exactly one week after the US imposed a package of economic sanctions against Iran—described as unprecedented in severity—targeting entities and individuals with trade ties to Tehran. The Operation Economic Outcast aimed to cripple Iran's economy and force Tehran to agree to a deal.
