US military warns it will strike any threat to Hormuz shipping
US officials told the New York Times that American forces are closely monitoring the Strait of Hormuz and will act against any Iranian threat to navigation.
Key Takeaways
AIThe New York Times, citing US military officials, reported that American forces are closely monitoring the Strait of Hormuz and are prepared to strike any Iranian forces that threaten navigation in the area.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported on Monday, August 31, 2026, that a giant oil tanker caught fire and became completely disabled after hitting two naval mines in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Revolutionary Guard said the tanker was attempting to cross the waterway illegally, without disclosing the vessel's identity or details about its crew.
The Guard warned that other ships violating its security regulations would face the same fate, stressing that compliance with its rules for passage through the strait is mandatory.
A US official said on Sunday that American forces carried out a strike on Iran's Larak Island after detecting an attempt to plant mines in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first US strike in over a month.
The official told CNN that US forces targeted two Iranian launch platforms on the island.
He added that US Central Command last week completed an operation to clear naval mines from major international shipping lanes in this vital waterway.
The official said: "US forces are closely monitoring the area and are ready to protect the freedom of commercial navigation through this vital waterway."