Iran-US Conflict Escalates as Tehran Claims Strike on Unmanned US Vessel
The Iran-US conflict has escalated as Tehran claims it struck an unmanned US vessel trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz. The US military denies this, calling it a 'total lie'. This attack comes a day after the US military said forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Navy warships being targeted with ballistic missiles.
Experts have warned that this is a dangerous escalation, as Iran's previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping. The war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, but since a fragile ceasefire agreement was announced in June, fighting has persisted.
The US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that on average, 9 million barrels of oil a day are getting through the strait, which should help to relieve pressure on energy prices. Wright told CNN that with oil also flowing through pipelines in the region, 'we're probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows.'
The US and Iran resumed attacks last week, following a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran's southern coast again being targeted.