U.S.-Iran Fighting Reignites
Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy
Original Source
U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire for the first time since late July, casting doubt on White House claims that the monthslong conflict is nearing its end. An American strike on Iran's strategic Larak Island and Tehran's retaliatory ballistic missile attacks signal the collapse of a June ceasefire agreement.
U.S. Attack on Larak Island Reignites Active Fighting With Iran
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U.S.-Iran Fighting Reignites
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U.S.-Iran Fighting Reignites
A U.S. attack on Larak Island paves the way for renewed heavy warfare.
!An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer
*An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer*
*Alexandra Sharp*
By **Alexandra Sharp**, the World Brief writer at *Foreign Policy*.
!Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak.
*Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak.*
Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak on April 5, 2006. AFP via Getty Images
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August 31, 2026, 4:01 PM
Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the **United States**’ attack on **Iran**’s **Larak Island**, a rising flood death toll in **Nepal**, and **Greece**’s multibillion-dollar defense deal with **Israel**.
---
**Targeting the Islands**
Iran War
Analysis and news.
U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire on Sunday and Monday for the first time since late July, once against casting doubt on the White House’s repeated claims that the monthslong conflict is nearing its end.
Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the **United States**’ attack on **Iran**’s **Larak Island**, a rising flood death toll in **Nepal**, and **Greece**’s multibillion-dollar defense deal with **Israel**.
Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday.
---
**Targeting the Islands**
Iran War
Analysis and news.
U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire on Sunday and Monday for the first time since late July, once against casting doubt on the White House’s repeated claims that the monthslong conflict is nearing its end.
According to a U.S. official, the United States struck Iran’s critical Larak Island on Sunday, damaging two rocket launchers. The official said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was “observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into \[the] Strait of Hormuz.” Local authorities claimed that the U.S. attack killed at least two people and wounded several others.
Hitting Larak, the closest island along the Strait of Hormuz, carries strategic significance, as the IRGC has used it to host military activity, monitor global shipping, and exert influence over the thoroughfare. The United States has previously targeted other Iranian islands—such as Qeshm, Kharg, and Greater Tunb—in a bid to undermine Iran’s maritime authority and deny the regime access to valuable military and economic hubs.
Also on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated video on social media depicting a fictional incident in which U.S. forces attack Kharg Island. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that the video was an effort by Trump to send a message to Tehran to stop shooting at commercial shipping “or there are going to be some consequences.”
In response to the Larak strike, Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. military bases in Jordan on Sunday. Tehran will “not hesitate to exercise the inherent right of legitimate defense and will respond decisively to any military aggression,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Jordan confirmed that its military had intercepted at least eight Iranian missiles, while the United Arab Emirates also claimed to have struck down an Iranian drone over its waters. “This dangerous escalation constitutes a blatant violation of the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and a direct threat to the safety of its citizens and residents,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Trump similarly condemned Iran’s retaliation, telling Fox News on Monday that Washington was “going to hit them hard” in response.
Active fighting had ebbed in recent weeks as foreign mediators pushed the United States and Iran to adhere to a June memorandum of understanding (MOU) that included a cease-fire deal. However, repeated violations of the text as well as Monday’s return to active conflict have further soured hopes that this framework could be effective.
“The state of neither war nor peace cannot be a sustainable solution,” Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati official, wrote on social media on Monday, arguing that the June MOU “failed to outline a practical and acceptable road map” for ending the war. Gargash instead echoed calls for the drafting of a new agreement that returns the embattled Strait of Hormuz to its prewar status.
Meanwhile, G-20 finance ministers convened in Washington on Monday to discuss global economic pressures, including the new U.S. effort to further financially isolate Iran (dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast”). Officials were expected to discuss best strategies to reinforce supply chains, increase international investment, and address rising costs from the Iran war. But although U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared eager to use the two-day conference to garner greater support for the operation, unifying the G-20 may prove to be too challenging, especially as several U.S. allies are battling their own trade wars with Washington.
---
**Today’s Most Read**
* **A Cabinet Full of
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World Brief:
U.S.-Iran Fighting Reignites
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World Brief
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U.S.-Iran Fighting Reignites
A U.S. attack on Larak Island paves the way for renewed heavy warfare.
!An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer
*An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer*
*Alexandra Sharp*
By **Alexandra Sharp**, the World Brief writer at *Foreign Policy*.
!Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak.
*Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak.*
Iranian military hovercrafts take part in naval maneuvers on the Iranian island of Larak on April 5, 2006. AFP via Getty Images
My FP:
Follow topics and authors to get straight to what you like. Exclusively for FP subscribers. Subscribe Now | Log In
*
*
*
August 31, 2026, 4:01 PM
Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the **United States**’ attack on **Iran**’s **Larak Island**, a rising flood death toll in **Nepal**, and **Greece**’s multibillion-dollar defense deal with **Israel**.
---
**Targeting the Islands**
Iran War
Analysis and news.
U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire on Sunday and Monday for the first time since late July, once against casting doubt on the White House’s repeated claims that the monthslong conflict is nearing its end.
Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the **United States**’ attack on **Iran**’s **Larak Island**, a rising flood death toll in **Nepal**, and **Greece**’s multibillion-dollar defense deal with **Israel**.
Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday.
---
**Targeting the Islands**
Iran War
Analysis and news.
U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire on Sunday and Monday for the first time since late July, once against casting doubt on the White House’s repeated claims that the monthslong conflict is nearing its end.
According to a U.S. official, the United States struck Iran’s critical Larak Island on Sunday, damaging two rocket launchers. The official said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was “observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into \[the] Strait of Hormuz.” Local authorities claimed that the U.S. attack killed at least two people and wounded several others.
Hitting Larak, the closest island along the Strait of Hormuz, carries strategic significance, as the IRGC has used it to host military activity, monitor global shipping, and exert influence over the thoroughfare. The United States has previously targeted other Iranian islands—such as Qeshm, Kharg, and Greater Tunb—in a bid to undermine Iran’s maritime authority and deny the regime access to valuable military and economic hubs.
Also on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated video on social media depicting a fictional incident in which U.S. forces attack Kharg Island. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that the video was an effort by Trump to send a message to Tehran to stop shooting at commercial shipping “or there are going to be some consequences.”
In response to the Larak strike, Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. military bases in Jordan on Sunday. Tehran will “not hesitate to exercise the inherent right of legitimate defense and will respond decisively to any military aggression,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Jordan confirmed that its military had intercepted at least eight Iranian missiles, while the United Arab Emirates also claimed to have struck down an Iranian drone over its waters. “This dangerous escalation constitutes a blatant violation of the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and a direct threat to the safety of its citizens and residents,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Trump similarly condemned Iran’s retaliation, telling Fox News on Monday that Washington was “going to hit them hard” in response.
Active fighting had ebbed in recent weeks as foreign mediators pushed the United States and Iran to adhere to a June memorandum of understanding (MOU) that included a cease-fire deal. However, repeated violations of the text as well as Monday’s return to active conflict have further soured hopes that this framework could be effective.
“The state of neither war nor peace cannot be a sustainable solution,” Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati official, wrote on social media on Monday, arguing that the June MOU “failed to outline a practical and acceptable road map” for ending the war. Gargash instead echoed calls for the drafting of a new agreement that returns the embattled Strait of Hormuz to its prewar status.
Meanwhile, G-20 finance ministers convened in Washington on Monday to discuss global economic pressures, including the new U.S. effort to further financially isolate Iran (dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast”). Officials were expected to discuss best strategies to reinforce supply chains, increase international investment, and address rising costs from the Iran war. But although U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared eager to use the two-day conference to garner greater support for the operation, unifying the G-20 may prove to be too challenging, especially as several U.S. allies are battling their own trade wars with Washington.
---
**Today’s Most Read**
* **A Cabinet Full of
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Source: Foreign Policy
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