Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Iran Claims Missile Attack on Two US Navy Warships
Iran says it fired missiles at two American warships.
Iran claims the ships were bothering Iranian vessels and helping enforce a blockade.
Iran says the warships were damaged and moved away.
The United States says its ships avoided the missile attacks and that no American personnel were hurt.
The United States also says it later struck three Iranian oil carriers.
Iran says it attacked other tankers and US-affiliated vessels after US strikes on Iranian tankers.
Iran warned ships not to use waterways it considers unauthorized near the Strait of Hormuz.
The two countries give different explanations for who started the confrontation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer.
The IRGC alleged the warships had harassed Iranian ships and participated in a naval blockade.
Iran claimed both vessels were damaged and left the conflict area, while US Central Command said they evaded multiple attacks.
US Central Command said American forces later struck three Iranian crude oil carriers near Kharg Island, Jask, and the Gulf of Oman.
The IRGC Navy said it targeted three tankers, three US-affiliated vessels, and a US unmanned surface vessel in separate incidents.
- Who
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the United States Central Command are the main parties involved.
- What
- The IRGC claimed it launched ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer; the United States reported that the warships evaded the attacks and that US forces struck three Iranian oil carriers.
- When
- The reported events occurred on Saturday and Sunday local time; US Central Command referred to strikes on September 5.
- Where
- The incidents involved regional waters, the Strait of Hormuz, the coast of Kharg Island, the area near Jask, and the Gulf of Oman.
- Why
- Iran said it was responding to alleged US attacks on Iranian tankers and hostile activity against Iranian shipping; the United States said its strikes followed Iranian missile attacks on US warships.
Iran’s Account
United States’ Account
What triggered the confrontation
Iran’s Account
Iran said US warships harassed Iranian ships, participated in a naval blockade, and that US forces attacked three Iranian oil tankers first.
United States’ Account
The United States said its strikes on Iranian crude oil carriers followed Iranian ballistic missile attacks on two US Navy warships.
What happened to the warships
Iran’s Account
The IRGC claimed the aircraft carrier and destroyer sustained damage and fled the conflict area.
United States’ Account
US Central Command said the warships successfully evaded multiple attacks and reported no American personnel harmed.
Actions against shipping
Iran’s Account
Iran said it attacked three tankers, three US-affiliated vessels, and a US unmanned surface vessel in retaliation for attacks on Iranian shipping.
United States’ Account
The United States said its forces struck and disabled or destroyed three Iranian crude oil carriers.
- Iranian missile claim
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force said it fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer.
- Iranian account of warships
- The IRGC claimed the two warships were damaged and forced to leave the conflict area.
- US account of warships
- US Central Command said the aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple attacks and that no American personnel were harmed.
- Reported US strikes
- US Central Command said M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1 were permanently disabled, while M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, was destroyed.
- Iranian shipping claims
- The IRGC Navy said it targeted three oil tankers using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz and three US-affiliated vessels elsewhere.
- Additional reported target
- The IRGC said its naval forces attacked a US Army unmanned surface vessel that attempted to enter a protected area of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Navigation warning
- The IRGC Navy warned vessels against suspicious movements through waterways it considers unauthorized near the Strait of Hormuz.
