The United States and Iran have exchanged strikes for the first time in weeks after American forces attacked two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the attack killed two people and injured two others. The IRGC vowed to respond with "punishment," while the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) described the action as "limited and precise," carried out after observing Iran preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the strait. The incident marks the first known U.S. strike on Iran since former President Donald Trump paused a renewed military campaign in late July. Iran claimed it retaliated by striking U.S. military bases in Jordan, with Jordan's army confirming it intercepted eight missiles early Monday morning. Iran's state television also reported that the Iranian army had targeted an air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with drones. However, the UAE's Ministry of Defence denied the claims, calling them "unfounded," though it confirmed it had shot down a drone. The situation highlights the growing tensions in the region, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. Larak Island, located off the coast of Bandar Abbas in Iran, sits in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global shipping. Before the current conflict, 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait. Since the conflict began in February, the strait has effectively been closed, leading to significant fluctuations in oil prices. Iran is now demanding that tankers pass through Larak Island for checks and reportedly charging vessels $2 million to cross, a move that has drawn international concern. President Donald Trump, who recently returned to public commentary on the issue, told Fox News the U.S. would "hit them hard" in response to Iranian actions. Centcom denied an earlier claim by the IRGC that a supertanker had struck sea mines and caught fire while navigating the strait. Iranian media published a photo showing a vessel on fire, but did not identify the ship or provide further details. The BBC was unable to verify the incident, and Centcom called it an attempt by the IRGC to "intimidate regional commercial shipping through disinformation." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in a press release that his country "is not seeking war, but will deliver a decisive response to the aggressors." Hours after the U.S. strike, Trump posted AI-generated videos on his social media platform, Truth Social, showing oil infrastructure exploding with one caption reading, "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!" The videos appeared to depict a major oil terminal near Iran, though no further details were provided. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of tension, with both nations asserting control over the area within their territorial waters. As the conflict continues, the global economy watches closely for any disruptions to vital shipping routes.