Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Iran-US Ship Attacks Near Hormuz Send Oil Above $100
Iran and the United States attacked ships during their six-month-old war.
Iran said it struck 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted a US Navy warship with missiles.
Iran also fired 20 missiles toward a base used by American forces in Jordan.
Jordan said it stopped 18 missiles, while the other two landed in empty areas.
Some commercial ships were damaged, and one sailor died while another was missing.
The fighting made travel through an important oil route more dangerous.
Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel, and fighting involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis created another risk for energy supplies.
Iran said it attacked two US vessels and eight tankers near the Strait of Hormuz after US forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.
The United States said the tanker strikes followed two Iranian ballistic-missile attacks on a US Navy warship, which caused no American injuries.
Iran said it fired 20 missiles at a base used by US forces in Jordan; Jordan said 18 were intercepted and two landed in unpopulated areas.
Several merchant ships were reportedly struck, including the Hercules Star, where one seafarer died and another crew member went missing.
Brent crude settled at $101.21 per barrel as shipping disruptions and Saudi-Houthi fighting increased concerns about energy supplies.
- Who
- Iran, the United States, Jordan, commercial shipping operators, Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi movement were involved or affected.
- What
- Iran and the United States exchanged attacks involving oil tankers, military vessels, and a base in Jordan, while commercial shipping was disrupted.
- When
- The latest attacks occurred on Wednesday during a six-month-old war, after renewed fighting since the end of August.
- Where
- The incidents occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, Iraqi waters, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
- Why
- The United States said its tanker strikes responded to Iranian attacks on a US naval vessel; Iran said its attacks were retaliation and targeted ships entering waters it had declared off-limits.
Iranian claims
US and regional claims
Responsibility for tanker attacks
Iranian claims
Iran said its attacks on two US vessels and eight tankers were retaliation for US strikes and targeted ships entering a maritime zone it had declared off-limits.
US and regional claims
The United States said it destroyed five Iranian tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guard twice targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles.
Missile strike in Jordan
Iranian claims
Iran said its missiles inflicted heavy damage on a base used by US forces near Al Azraq in eastern Jordan.
US and regional claims
Jordan said it intercepted 18 of 20 missiles and that the other two landed in unpopulated areas; a US official said the attack was ineffective and American troops were accounted for.
Saudi-Houthi fighting
Iranian claims
The Houthis said Saudi airstrikes killed dozens of people after Houthi attacks on Saudi cities.
US and regional claims
Saudi Arabia said Houthi attacks wounded 73 people and caused major fires at oil installations; it did not confirm the reported Houthi death toll.
War duration
Iranian claims
President Donald Trump said Iran was desperate and that the war would end immediately after the US midterm election.
US and regional claims
The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately warned that the conflict could continue through the remainder of Trump's presidency, ending in January 2029.
- Brent crude
- Brent settled at $101.21 per barrel, up 3.4%, after reaching $101.58.
- US crude
- West Texas Intermediate settled at $96.05 per barrel, up 3.25%.
- US tanker strikes
- The United States said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers: Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco, and Derya.
- Iranian ship attacks
- Iran said it attacked two US vessels and eight oil tankers, totaling 10 ships.
- Jordan missile attack
- Jordan said it intercepted 18 of 20 Iranian missiles; the other two landed in unpopulated areas.
- New Andros
- The tanker New Andros, carrying two million barrels of fuel oil, reportedly caught fire after a drone strike in Iraqi waters; its 22 crew members were not reported injured.
- Shipping casualties
- One seafarer was killed aboard the Hercules Star, while another crew member was reported missing.
