Central Command said Iranian forces were preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway|@CENTCOM|X

The US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, ending a month-long pause in direct American attacks and raising fears of renewed fighting.

Central Command said Iranian forces were preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway. American forces had recently cleared mines from international shipping routes and called the strike a limited action to protect commercial vessels.

Iranian officials said the strike killed and wounded members of the Revolutionary Guard and civilians.

Iran vowed retaliation and later said it launched missiles toward US military sites in Jordan. Jordanian forces reported intercepting eight missiles that entered its airspace.

The escalation threatens to derail efforts to avoid another major conflict while Washington relies on sanctions and a maritime blockade to pressure Tehran.

Oil prices also climbed nearly 2% after the attack.