US forces attacked suspected Iranian military sites in the Strait of Hormuz. The US strikes are the first in several weeks as Washington attempts to destroy the Iranian economy. 

US officials told the AP that the IRGC was preparing to fire rockets to mine the Strait of Hormuz. Several explosions were reported on Iran’s Larak island. The IRGC said the attack will “result in punishment of the aggressor.”

Last week, US officials speaking with Axios said Rubio told allies that the US was not planning any attacks on Iran, and any strikes on the Islamic Republic would only be to respond to IRGC missile or drone attacks. The White House will focus on enforcing sanctions on Iran.

The US also began restaffing its embassies in the Middle East. Axios notes that the new approach to the Iran war is “another sign that President Trump is exasperated with the war and wants it to be over, at least for now.” One official said that he expected the current strategy to last at least through the midterm election. 

President Donald Trump believed that the war against Iran would result in a quick victory. Six months into the conflict, Tehran is in a better strategic position than before the war. On Wednesday, Iran announced a new deal with Oman for charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz. 

While a US official told Axios that the economic war against Iran is working and the US is now in control of the Strait of Hormuz, earlier this week, Saudi-state media reported that Washington had offered to lift sanctions on Tehran if Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz.