Why Larak Island, Targeted by the US, is Crucial for Iran
The United States (US) struck Larak Island in southern Iran on Sunday (30/8), in an operation described by US Central Command (CENTCOM) as an effort to prevent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Larak Island is a small island measuring 9.6 kilometres in length, primarily composed of sandstone, with a population of just over 400 people. However, as reported by the New York Times and Al Arabiya on Tuesday (1/9/2026), the island holds significant geopolitical importance.
This small island serves as a military foothold for Iran at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Larak Island also plays a highly significant role in Tehran’s efforts to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas supplies that has recently become a point of contention with Washington.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Larak Island’s position within the Strait of Hormuz is part of Iran’s network of military positions around this strategic waterway, which accounted for 34 per cent of global crude oil supplies throughout 2025.
Larak Island’s proximity to vital global maritime routes provides a valuable strategic position for Iranian military forces, enabling Tehran to monitor and influence activities within the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran can also exert pressure without completely closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic. Threats such as mines, missiles, or other attacks can create pressure by altering the behaviour of passing vessels and naval forces.
CENTCOM spokesperson, Captain Tim Hawkins, stated that US forces attacked Larak Island after detecting Iranian forces preparing to launch rocket-propelled mines into the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the conflict involving the US and Israel began in late February, Iran has sought to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz by imposing fees on passing ships, which were previously free. The heart of this strategy is the military post on Larak Island, part of an archipelago off Iran’s southern coast, near the major port city of Bandar Abbas.
According to Iranian state media, local authorities control public access to Larak Island, which covers an area of 77.6 square kilometres.
Historical Influence
The geostrategic relevance of Larak Island existed long before the current US-Iran conflict. During the Iran-Iraq War, when the land conflict reached a stalemate, battles shifted to the Gulf region. Attacks on commercial vessels increased sharply, triggering events known as the