US Strikes Iranian Tankers After Attempted Missile Attacks On Its Navy Warship: Report

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The US on Tuesday (September 8) struck multiple Iranian oil tankers after further attempted missile attacks targeted a US Navy warship, escalating an already tense confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The strikes, reported by The Associated Press citing a US official who spoke anonymously, came as Iran warned tanker crews in the Gulf that their vessels could be targeted in retaliation.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy warned crews aboard oil tankers near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave their vessels.

The Revolutionary Guard told tanker crews to abandon their vessels whether they were anchored or docked, warning that the ships“will be targeted.”

Iran claims US missile hit tanker near Kharg Island

Iranian media separately reported that a US missile struck a small tanker near Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran's oil exports.

Tasnim news agency said the tanker was hit by a US projectile about four miles from the island. It reported no casualties.

The reports could not be independently verified.

Several blasts were also reportedly heard on Kharg Island, where most of Iran's oil exports are handled. Iranian media also reported two explosions in the southern port of Jask.

Tehran threatens US bases

Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned that Tehran would target US military bases across the region if Iranian oil tankers were attacked.

He said any attack on Iranian oil tankers would trigger strikes against US bases by Iran's armed forces.

The warning came after what Iranian officials described as an evacuation notice issued to Iranian tanker crews ahead of possible US attacks.

IRGC claims MQ-1 drone shot down

The Revolutionary Guard also said it intercepted and destroyed an MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the drone was brought down by what it described as a new advanced Iranian defence system operating under the country's integrated air defence network.

Iran did not identify who was operating the drone. The MQ-1 is used by only a small number of countries, including the United States.

Strait of Hormuz becomes key flashpoint

The latest military escalation comes as both Washington and Tehran seek greater control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passed before the war.

Oil prices surged amid the latest developments, with international benchmark Brent crude briefly reaching $99.46 a barrel on Tuesday, adding to political pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the November midterm elections.

US expands Iran sanctions

Alongside the military strikes, Washington intensified economic pressure on Tehran.

The US Treasury announced sanctions targeting all remaining Iranian airlines that had not previously been subjected to such penalties.

The department said the latest measures target 36 entities for supporting Iran's aviation sector, which Washington accused of being used to transport weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.

Iran says Oman talks show 'significant progress'

Despite the military escalation, Iran said diplomatic efforts over the Strait of Hormuz were making progress.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman on managing the strategic waterway had achieved“significant progress.”

Iran's Foreign Ministry said Araghchi briefed his Japanese counterpart on the latest status of the Iran-Oman discussions during a phone call.

Rubio accuses Iran over Houthi attacks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meanwhile said Iran was behind attacks launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia.

Rubio described the Houthis as Iranian agents and proxies and said there was“clearly” an Iranian hand behind some of the attacks.

The Houthis have launched a fresh offensive near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial gateway to the Red Sea, as Yemen's civil war has intensified after a four-year ceasefire.

Israel strikes South Lebanon

The wider regional tensions also spilled into Lebanon.

Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, killing 13 people, including women and children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The strikes marked an escalation following several weeks of relative calm. No new Israeli strikes were reported in Lebanon as of early Tuesday evening.

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