Tensions across the Middle East have entered a new phase of escalation, with direct confrontations between the United States and Iran reported in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran claims it has targeted several vessels, while Washington says U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian tankers. Meanwhile, Jordan says it intercepted most of a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles, fueling concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region.
The confrontation between Washington and Tehran has intensified at sea, with both sides reporting attacks involving ships and tankers in and around one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims it targeted 10 vessels, including two American ships and eight tankers, describing the attacks as retaliation for U.S. military actions.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), meanwhile, said American forces destroyed five Iranian crude-oil tankers on September 8 following attempted missile attacks against a U.S. warship.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tehran that Washington would continue targeting Iranian tankers if attacks against American vessels persisted.
“Every time Iran tries to do this, it will lose tanker ships,” Rubio said.
Jordan also reported a major escalation in aerial threats, saying its air-defense systems intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles launched from Iranian territory. The remaining two reportedly landed in uninhabited areas, with no casualties recorded.
Separately, a small Iranian tanker was reportedly struck by a U.S. missile near Kharg Island. The IRGC has threatened retaliation against vessels in ports in Kuwait and Bahrain that host American forces, urging crews to leave those areas.
Iran also claims to have shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran had previously announced the seizure of an American underwater drone, while Washington described that incident as the loss of an outdated device containing no sensitive equipment or information.
US IMPOSES NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN
As part of its growing pressure campaign against Tehran, the United States has announced 36 new sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector and companies accused of helping the country obtain aircraft and sensitive technology.
The measures reportedly include 27 Iranian aviation companies, along with entities based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Elsewhere in the region, the United Kingdom announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Eleven other countries backed the initiative, calling on Israel to halt settlement expansion and reiterating support for a two-state solution.
Israel has threatened retaliatory measures against London, including the possible closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem and entry bans targeting 12 British officials and citizens.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese military said it has deployed units across areas of southern Lebanon that are not under Israeli control. Despite an agreement reached in June, Israeli strikes have continued in parts of southern Lebanon.
In Saudi Arabia, at least 73 people, including women and children, were injured in Houthi attacks across four cities. Saudi authorities said civilian and commercial facilities were targeted and warned that a strong response could follow.
