Iran Retaliates Against US Bases in Jordan and UAE Following Larak Island StrikeDeep Dive

What Happened

On Sunday night, August 30, 2026, the United States conducted strikes against two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. A US official informed Al Jazeera Arabic that these launchers were preparing to deploy naval mines into the critical waterway. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Monday morning, August 31, 2026, that it had launched combined missile and drone operations targeting US military bases in Jordan, specifically King Hussein and Al Azraq, and US military assets at the Al Menhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates. Iranian media, citing the IRGC, claimed these strikes destroyed technical infrastructure and enemy fighter deployment sites, causing significant damage. Simultaneously, a US official told Al Jazeera Arabic that Iranian attacks against Jordan were intercepted, while Jordan's army confirmed intercepting eight missiles that breached its airspace at dawn on Monday. The UAE's Ministry of Defence also reported responding to a drone over its territorial waters but denied its airbase was targeted by Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on X that the US action on Larak Island was a "limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat," refuting Iran's characterization of it as an "act of aggression." President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran declared that Iran was "not looking for war" but would "never sit still in the face of any aggression," promising a "decisive response to the aggressors." This exchange marks the first active military confrontation between the two sides since late July 2026, occurring amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate a six-month-old conflict that has severely impacted global oil supplies.

What the Evidence Establishes

Evidence establishes that the United States conducted a strike on Larak Island, targeting Iranian rocket launchers. CENTCOM confirmed this action, stating it was a "limited, precise action" against forces posing an "imminent threat" in the Strait of Hormuz. Following this, Iran's IRGC publicly claimed responsibility for retaliatory missile and drone strikes against US military bases in Jordan and US assets in the UAE. The Jordanian army corroborated missile activity, confirming it intercepted eight missiles over its airspace on Monday morning. The UAE Ministry of Defence also acknowledged responding to a drone approaching from Iran over its territorial waters, though it denied its Al Menhad airbase was successfully targeted.

Separately, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper confirmed that US forces had completed a months-long operation to clear Iranian sea mines from the international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. This operation involved Navy divers, SEALs, and US air power, successfully clearing the Strait’s Traffic Separation Scheme. President Donald Trump had previously declared that all mines had been detonated or removed. Despite these clearance efforts, the Joint Maritime Information Center advisory, issued through the UK Maritime Trade Operations office on August 25, maintained a "SEVERE" threat level for the Strait, citing continued risk from drifting or uncharted mines and expecting commercial traffic to remain below pre-war levels. Oil flows through the Strait were reported at approximately 5 million barrels per day on Monday, significantly down from over 20 million barrels per day before the conflict.

Where the Accounts Conflict

Significant discrepancies exist between the accounts provided by Iranian, US, and allied officials regarding the recent military exchanges. Iran's IRGC claimed its strikes on US bases in Jordan "destroyed the technical and repair infrastructure, as well as the enemy fighter deployment sites," causing "significant damage," and resulted in "several Iranian soldiers and civilians" killed or wounded in the initial US strike on Larak Island. In direct contrast, a US official told Al Jazeera Arabic that Iranian attacks against Jordan were intercepted, implying limited or no damage. Jordan's army statement supported this, confirming the interception of eight missiles, without reporting any damage to bases or casualties.

Regarding the UAE, Iran's army stated that dozens of drones were launched at US military assets at the Al Menhad airbase, claiming it was revenge for casualties on Larak Island. However, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence explicitly "rejected Iranian claims that its airbase was targeted," only acknowledging a response to a drone over its territorial waters. Furthermore, US President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that Kharg Island was being "blown to smithereens," a claim Iran has not commented on. CENTCOM also directly contradicted the IRGC's statement that the Larak Island attack was an "act of aggression," instead characterizing it as "limited, precise action" to eliminate an "imminent threat." These conflicting narratives highlight a significant information gap and strategic messaging from all parties involved.

Context and Stakes

The recent military exchanges occur within the broader context of a six-month-old conflict that has profoundly disrupted global oil supply and jolted the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for international shipping, particularly for oil, remains at the center of this tension. Adm. Brad Cooper of CENTCOM noted that US forces have assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels through the Strait, carrying approximately 750 million barrels of crude oil, while simultaneously enforcing a naval blockade on Iran and turning around 75 vessels attempting to run it since mid-July. This dual mission underscores the high stakes involved in maintaining freedom of navigation and containing Iranian influence in the waterway.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict have reportedly deteriorated. Al Jazeera’s Manuel Rapalo, reporting from Washington, DC, indicated that the Trump administration has signaled a shift away from kinetic action towards economic pressure, with the Treasury Secretary announcing more sanctions in the coming days. This follows "Operation Economic Outcast," dubbed an "economic D-Day," which intensified sanctions on Iran. Tehran, already under decades of US sanctions, dismisses these new pressures as ineffective and indicative of the US military approach's failure. The tit-for-tat military actions, coupled with escalating economic warfare, suggest a deepening cycle of confrontation with significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets.

What to Watch Next

Observers should closely monitor official statements from Washington, Tehran, Amman, and Abu Dhabi for any further details or shifts in posture regarding the recent military engagements. The immediate focus will be on whether the US or Iran will escalate further, either militarily or through cyber operations, following these retaliatory strikes. President Pezeshkian's statement that Iran "will give a decisive response to the aggressors" if attacked suggests a potential for continued escalation if either side perceives further aggression. Conversely, any signs of de-escalation or renewed diplomatic overtures, however unlikely in the short term, would be significant.

Economically, the impact on global oil prices and shipping insurance rates will be a key indicator of market sentiment and the perceived risk in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Treasury's promised "more sanctions coming up in the next few days" under "Operation Economic Outcast" will also be critical to watch, as these measures aim to intensify pressure on Iran's economy. Furthermore, the ongoing mine clearance operations and the UKMTO's threat level advisories for the Strait will provide insight into the practical safety of commercial shipping. Any joint navigation corridors or mine-clearance projects between Iran and Oman, as discussed last week, could also signal a localized effort to manage the waterway, though their scope remains unclear.

Bottom Line

The recent exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, moving beyond economic pressure to direct kinetic action. The US strike on Larak Island, targeting alleged minelaying capabilities, prompted immediate and confirmed Iranian retaliation against US military positions in Jordan and claimed strikes in the UAE. While the US and Jordan report successful interceptions and minimal damage, Iran asserts significant impact and casualties, highlighting a critical divergence in official accounts.

This tit-for-tat dynamic occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating diplomatic efforts and intensified US economic sanctions, including "Operation Economic Outcast." The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with US forces actively clearing mines and enforcing a blockade, yet maritime advisories still classify the threat level as "SEVERE." The immediate future will likely see continued rhetorical exchanges, potential further sanctions, and a heightened state of alert in the region, with significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability. The lack of clear, unified reporting on damage and effectiveness of strikes underscores the fog of war and the strategic messaging employed by all parties.