Zürcher Nachrichten - Iran, US trade fire in first exchange for a month

Six months into the conflict, the two sides remain at an impasse, with Iran keeping the strategic strait shut and Washington persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran.

The United States had signalled a pivot to economic pressure in place of military action, but on Sunday said it attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the small island of Larak to prevent Tehran planting mines in the strategic shipping lane.

"US forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz," the US military's Central Command wrote on X.

Tehran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of its military, said they responded by striking two US air bases with ballistic missiles in Washington-allied Jordan, causing "heavy damage".

Jordan's army said it had intercepted eight missiles, without stating their origin.

Iran also claimed it targeted US personnel at an air base in the United Arab Emirates and shot down an American drone over Hormuz.

The UAE responded by saying it had "dealt with" a drone over its waters, but dismissed claims that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted as "baseless".

The exchange of fire between the United States and Iran came at a time when hostilities had been subsiding.

In recent weeks, the administration of US President Donald Trump had prioritised "economic warfare" over military action.

But the militaries of the two sides remain vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran having blocked the passage of commercial ships since the war began.

One-fifth of the world's oil passed through the strait before the US and Israel triggered the war with strikes on Iran on February 28.

Trump has insisted the US navy has "total control" of the strait and has even called it US territory, with Washington last week announcing it had completed clearing explosives from the waterway.

"US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce," said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command.

Iran's leaders have remained defiant in the face of US pressure, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying Monday that "we are not seeking war, but we will deliver a decisive response to the aggressors", according to state TV.

Iran's Guards said their strikes on Jordan were a "response to the US-Zionist aerial aggression".

The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the US attacks on Larak and justified the Jordan strikes as "legitimate defence".

- 'Economic warfare' -

Diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, have tried for months to bring an end to the war.

While a ceasefire was agreed in April and a memorandum of understanding towards a final peace deal was signed in June, no agreement has been forthcoming, and Washington has since declared "economic warfare" against Tehran.

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is squeezing petrol supplies in Iran during a shortfall in domestic production, while the US Treasury has announced expanded sanctions.

The April ceasefire put an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks -- mainly around the Strait of Hormuz -- have dimmed prospects for a final peace agreement.

The last US strike on Iran before Sunday came on July 29. Earlier in July, the American military attacked Iran for 13 consecutive nights.

Throughout the war, Iran has fought back by striking US facilities and allies in the Gulf region, hitting targets in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

Its closure of Hormuz has caused pain around the world in the form of price hikes and shortages of fertiliser and energy.

Both main crude oil contracts rose at least two percent on Monday.

The war is also unpopular with the US public as midterm elections loom in November.

"Six months later, not a single objective has been achieved," US Senator Jack Reed said on Friday, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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A.Senn--NZN