US Sinks 5 Iranian Tankers as Iran Hits 10 Ships and Jordan Base
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 9
US Sinks 5 Iranian Tankers as Iran Hits 10 Ships and Jordan Base
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 9
Summary
Five Iranian tankers were struck by the US in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg island after Washington said Iran had twice targeted a US warship with ballistic missiles; CENTCOM said no US personnel were harmed.
Iran answered with missile attacks on the Al-Azraq base in Jordan and on 10 ships in the region, including two US vessels, while claiming significant damage to destroyers DDG-119 and DDG-53; Washington had no immediate response.
20 ballistic missiles were fired toward Jordan, whose military said air defenses intercepted 18 and the other two fell in unpopulated areas without casualties.
Oil rose above $100 a barrel as the overnight exchange widened a six-month conflict that already includes Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The latest strikes followed a Sept. 5 US attack on 3 Iranian tankers, reinforcing Washington's threat to keep destroying tankers after any attempted Iranian strike on US naval ships.
As insurance premiums for tankers skyrocket, could the financial cost of navigating Hormuz permanently redraw the map of global energy trade?
With oil briefly topping $100, will the sudden 60-day truce actually stabilize global markets or just delay a larger maritime crisis?
Behind the fiery missile exchanges, are both nations secretly using this military theater to force a new economic negotiation table?
2026 U.S.-Iran Tanker War: Strait of Hormuz Blockade Triggers Global Energy and Food Crisis
Overview
The September 2026 crisis began when joint US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, triggering Hezbollah attacks on Israel and pushing Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz. This closure caused tanker traffic to collapse and global oil prices to surge, forcing the US to release emergency oil reserves. Tensions escalated with US strikes on Iranian tankers and Iranian missile attacks on US bases, leading to further shipping disruptions and a naval blockade. The blockade blocked fertilizer exports, driving up food prices and worsening food insecurity in vulnerable countries. Oil spills from attacks also threatened water security and the environment, while repeated failed ceasefires kept the region unstable.