Kathmandu— Following the United States' bombing of two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran retaliated by attacking US military bases in Jordan and assets in the United Arab Emirates. The attacks marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations since late July.

US Strikes on Larak Island

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it had targeted Iranian minelaying forces on Larak Island, stating that these forces posed an imminent threat to civilian mariners and the free flow of global commerce. According to a CENTCOM statement, the action was taken to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Retaliation

In response to the US strikes, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Jordan and assets in the UAE. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that their operations targeted technical infrastructure and deployment sites at King Hussein and Al Azraq bases in Jordan, causing significant damage.

Regional Reactions

Jordan's army intercepted eight missiles fired by Iran, while the UAE’s Ministry of Defence denied Iranian claims of targeting its airbase. Both countries strongly condemned the attacks as acts of aggression. The US also claimed to have intercepted some of Iran's attacks on Jordan.

Diplomatic Implications

The tit-for-tat exchanges between Iran and the US have raised concerns about further escalation and the potential impact on ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The Trump administration has been signaling a shift towards economic pressure, with new sanctions announced against entities linked to Iran.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.