US, Iranian forces fire at vessels in waters near Iran
US and Iranian forces engaged in a direct military exchange in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the US striking three Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted two US Navy ships. The escalation follows a week of rising tensions in the region.
Why it matters
This direct military confrontation threatens global oil supply chains and marks a significant escalation in US-Iran geopolitical tensions.
The exchange of attacks followed an escalation in the past week that threatens to deepen a conflict since its outset in February.
Fire and smoke rise during what US Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iranian oil carriers, at an unknown location in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on Sep 5, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/US Central Command)
DUBAI: US and Iranian forces fired at vessels in waters around Iran on Saturday (Sep 5), including three Iranian oil carriers struck by the Americans and three tankers that Iran said it targeted while on unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said it struck the three Iranian vessels, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran's oil export hub, after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.
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