US Hits 3 Iranian Tankers as Tehran Fires Ballistic Missiles Near Hormuz
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 5
US Hits 3 Iranian Tankers as Tehran Fires Ballistic Missiles Near Hormuz
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 5
Summary
CENTCOM said US forces struck three Iranian vessels in 24 hours—off Kharg Island, near Jask and in the Gulf of Oman—after Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer; no US injuries were reported.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards then said they targeted three oil tankers in an “unauthorised route” through the Strait of Hormuz and three US-linked vessels, warning ships near the chokepoint against suspicious movements.
Washington says the tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar sanctions-busting network funding the IRGC, while Tehran casts the attacks as retaliation against a US naval blockade and an “existential war” with America.
Brent crude closed at $96.28 a barrel and US diesel hit a record $5.85 a gallon as the sea fight deepened doubts about Hormuz traffic, despite US claims that roughly 17 million barrels a day are still moving.
Analysts say the six-month conflict is shifting decisively to sea, reducing chances for diplomacy and raising risks of miscalculation, civilian casualties and oil above $100 a barrel.
As US strikes target the shadow fleet, what happens when the world's hidden oil supply chain suddenly goes up in flames?
With war-risk premiums skyrocketing, could the Strait of Hormuz become a commercial dead zone even without a full military blockade?
Can Oman's fragile maritime corridor truly shield global shipping from the escalating crossfire in the Gulf?
The 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Military Escalation, Oil Shock, and the Global Fallout of the U.S.-Iran War
Overview
The July 2026 crisis began when Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global supply deficit that sent insurance premiums and shipping rates soaring. This disruption forced Iraq’s oil exports to dry up, triggering emergency plans. As oil prices surged, India’s import bill rose sharply. Meanwhile, the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei led to a power transition to his son Mojtaba, sparking open political conflict in Tehran. The revocation of a U.S. sanctions waiver caused the Iranian Rial to collapse, fueling widespread protests and prompting harsh domestic repression. Ambiguities in the ceasefire agreement led Iran to strike commercial vessels, collapsing the truce and prompting massive U.S. military retaliation.