Hormuz War Escalates: US Hits Five Iranian Oil Tankers
The Strait of Hormuz has become a war zone, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards claiming control over the strait and attacking several American ships and tankers. However, CENTCOM says US warships evaded Iranian missiles, and Washington retaliated by hitting five Iranian oil tankers, targeting Tehran's revenue stream.
The attacks on September 9, 2026, were part of a broader campaign between Iran and the US. The Revolutionary Guards claimed to have struck two American ships, eight tankers, and ten other vessels attempting to pass through the strait. However, there is no independent verification of these claims.
Central Command confirmed that four Iranian oil tankers were hit in the Gulf of Oman, while one was attacked near Kharg Island, a major hub for Iranian oil exports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the US response as 'every time they try to hit our ships, they will lose tankers.'
The US move aims to disrupt Iran's ability to sell oil and circumvent the blockade. In response, Tehran has launched missiles at American targets in Jordan, with 18 out of 20 ballistic missiles intercepted by the kingdom's defense systems.