Washington: Iran has announced that it attacked vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after the United States destroyed several Iranian oil tankers overnight, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing six-month conflict between the two nations.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, these retaliatory strikes have caused global oil prices to surge, with Brent crude reaching $100 per barrel for the first time since July. In addition to the attacks on shipping, Tehran also reported firing ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan, though no casualties or damage were noted.
The recent exchanges are part of a series of hostilities between Iran and the United States, stirring fears of a broader conflict. US President Donald Trump stated on September 9 that the United States is not seeking a deal to end the war but hinted that negotiations could be possible. Trump expressed confidence that the conflict might resolve after the upcoming midterm elections in November, predicting that Iran cannot sustain its position much longer.
The US military reported the sinking of five Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, as a retaliation for Tehran's missile attacks on a US Navy warship over the past two days. Iran responded by launching 20 ballistic missiles toward Jordan, of which 18 were intercepted according to Jordanian officials. The IRGC, Iran's elite military force, claimed further assaults on US vessels, oil tankers, and other ships attempting to pass through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed by Tehran since the conflict began in February.
The strategic waterway remains a focal point of the conflict, with Iran enforcing a shipping route along its coastline and threatening vessels using a US-supported route along Oman's coast. The UKMTO reported on September 9 that several ships in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf were targeted amid ongoing military actions. The IRGC also issued warnings to tanker crews in US-allied Kuwait and Bahrain to evacuate, exacerbating fears of further disruptions.
Shipping activity has already been impacted, with analytics company Kpler noting a significant drop in commercial vessels crossing the strait on September 8. Additionally, the IRGC declared new "prohibited zones" in parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the US strikes on its tankers as threats to regional and international peace, claiming they escalate regional tensions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran would continue to lose tankers if it persists in targeting US ships, emphasizing Washington's resolve to economically pressure Tehran. On September 8, the US announced sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector and businesses aiding Tehran in acquiring sensitive technology, contributing to a new low in the value of Iran's currency, the rial.
The US has also imposed a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, significantly affecting Iran's oil exports, a critical revenue source.