U.S. Military Strikes Iranian Missile Sites in Greater Tunb

The U.S. military launched an attack on Iranian missile storage and launch sites located on Greater Tunb. This island is part of the contentious region in the Strait of Hormuz, which has long been disputed between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

In the attack, U.S. forces targeted the strategic infrastructure that Iran uses to monitor and control shipping through the crucial Persian Gulf. The network of islands in the strait, including Greater Tunb, hosts drones, antiship missiles, and speedboats, which facilitate Iran’s influence over these narrow shipping lanes.

Beyond its tactical importance, Greater Tunb is deeply rooted in historical and political contexts for Iran. In 1971, Iran seized this island, along with Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, from the U.A.E. Despite over fifty years having passed, the Emirates still refer to these islands as ‘occupied,’ underscoring a deep-seated territorial dispute. The U.A.E. attributes historical ownership of these islands to the Qasimi tribe, the original rulers before the federation’s formation in 1971. Attempts to resolve the matter, including approaching the International Court of Justice, have been unsuccessful.

The Emirates assert that since the 18th century, the islands belonged to the Qasimi tribe, integral to the U.A.E.’s history.

Currently, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps maintains a presence on Greater Tunb, although the exact number of residents is uncertain. In 2023, Iran initiated efforts to bolster the island’s population and conducted military drills to affirm its control.

This recent military action is part of a longstanding pattern of U.S. interventions and threats in the Persian Gulf amid conflicts with Iran. Notably, there have been ongoing threats regarding Kharg Island, a principal Iranian oil terminal located 400 miles from the Strait. Any U.S. action there would involve navigating the entire length of the Persian Gulf, posing notable risks.

Reporter Zane Irwin is an international correspondent and a participant in the 2026-27 Times Fellowship, nurturing the careers of emerging journalists.