The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's characterization of American strikes on Lark Island as 'aggressive acts', asserting the operation targeted an imminent threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM stated, "The Revolutionary Guards' claim is entirely false," highlighting that U.S. forces carried out a "limited and precise" action against Iranian units allegedly preparing to lay naval mines in the strait.
The U.S. military emphasized that Iran was responsible for creating the threat, and that their forces acted to neutralize it, protecting civilian sailors, commercial shipping, and global trade freedom.
This statement comes in response to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who reported casualties among their forces and civilians due to the U.S. bombardment of Lark Island, and vowed a "decisive" response to punish those responsible.
Strike on Lark Island
An American official announced on Sunday that U.S. forces had targeted two Iranian missile launch platforms on Lark Island after observing Revolutionary Guard units preparing to fire missiles loaded with naval mines toward the Strait of Hormuz.
This marked the first U.S. strike inside Iran since late July, following weeks of relatively reduced direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the attack was carried out using drones, while the Revolutionary Guard reported casualties among soldiers and civilians without providing exact figures.
President Donald Trump had, days before the strike, announced the removal of all mines from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any ship or boat attempting to place new mines would be targeted.
Iranian Response Towards Jordan
Following the Lark Island strike, Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces stationed in Jordan as retaliation for the American attack.
The Jordanian military reported that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles that penetrated the kingdom's airspace, confirming their destruction before posing any threat to citizens or property.
The military explained that the interceptions were conducted based on accurate operational assessments and established engagement rules, affirming that its forces would continue their duties with utmost readiness to protect the nation’s sovereignty and security.