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The United States targeted Iranian ships; Tehran responded
On September 8, the United States destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the waters of the Persian Gulf near Kharg Island.
On September 8, the United States military destroyed five oil tankers linked to Iran in the waters of the Persian Gulf near Kharg Island, which, according to U.S. officials, were connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
On the night of September 8–9, in response to this operation, Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. military bases in Jordan—Muwaffaq Salti and Prince Hassan (including the Al-Azraq air base).
According to media reports, Iran launched more than 20 ballistic missiles in total. Jordanian officials said the country’s air defense system intercepted most of the missiles before they reached their targets. No casualties have been reported as a result of these attacks.
At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had targeted several vessels, including U.S. ships and oil tankers, in the Strait of Hormuz. The force claimed the ships were attempting to ignore Iran’s declared restrictions in the area.
The United States said Iran’s missile attacks did not cause serious damage to its military interests and that U.S. personnel in the region remained safe. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned that any attack on U.S. naval forces would be met with a harsh response.
These clashes come as tensions between Washington and Tehran have intensified in recent days. One key point of contention is the Strait of Hormuz—a vital sea route between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which a large share of global oil shipments passes.
The United States and Israel have previously accused Iran of expanding its nuclear and missile programs, as well as supporting armed groups in the region. Tehran has rejected these allegations, saying its military programs are necessary for the country’s defense.
Experts warn that continued reciprocal strikes between the United States and Iran could further complicate the situation in the Middle East and have a serious impact on the global energy market, especially oil prices.
