The United States has carried out fresh air strikes on Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz, marking its first attack on Iran since late July.

US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said on Sunday that American forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island after observing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, forces preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strategic waterway.

“US forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command said on X.

The strike comes days after CENTCOM announced it had completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes.

“Last week, CENTCOM completed clearing sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes,” Hawkins said. “US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical sea lane through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passed before hostilities escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran has since effectively blocked the strait.

The April ceasefire ended the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks around the strait have continued, dimming hopes for a final peace deal.

The last US strike before Sunday was on July 29 in response to what the US military called “an attempted surprise attack on US forces” in the region. Earlier in July, CENTCOM carried out attacks on Iran for 13 consecutive nights.

Throughout the conflict, Iran has retaliated by striking US facilities and allies in the Gulf, including targets in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The closure of the Strait has already hit the global economy, triggering price hikes and shortages of energy and fertiliser. Both main crude oil contracts rose by at least 2% on Monday following the latest escalation.