Iran Attacks US Bases in Jordan and UAE Following Strike on Larak Island

The Iranian army said on Monday that it attacked US bases in Jordan using explosive drones. This was in response to an American strike on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

The army also claimed the drone targeted troops and helicopters at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, but the UAE denies this.

The Iranian military stated, “Since early this morning, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has targeted locations housing US military helicopters and personnel at Al Minhad base in the UAE with dozens of explosive drones.”

They described Al Minhad as a key logistics and air transport hub for foreign forces. They promised more retaliation against US troops.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the IRGC claimed the US attack on Larak Island killed several IRGC members and civilians.

However, the UAE said reports about missiles hitting Al Minhad Air Base are false. The Emirati defence ministry said, “Media reports regarding a missile attack on Al Minhad Air Base are baseless,” in a statement on X.

The latest tensions between the US and Iran mark the most serious escalation in weeks. The last US attack on Iran happened on 29 July, after President Donald Trump warned he would hit the country “hard.”

Meanwhile, the IRGC reported that it shot down a US MQ-9 drone using air defence missiles over the Strait of Hormuz. They claimed the drone fell into Gulf waters after being shot down.

The IRGC also said they struck a supertanker trying to cross the strait illegally. They stated the supertanker was set on fire by two naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions in this waterway have been ongoing for months, with the fight for control central to the six-month-long war between the US and Iran. Last month, Mr Trump urged Tehran to “put up the white flag of surrender” to end the war. He also threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory.

“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Mr Trump said.

A week later, the US announced new economic sanctions on Iran aimed at isolating the country.