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U.S. Forces Attack Iranian Oil Tankers in Iran Waters

9/9/2026

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Summary

U.S. Attacks Iranian Tankers

U.S. officials said American forces attacked Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and Jask in Iran’s waters.
Two explosions were heard near Kharg Island in Bushehr Province with no immediate smoke or fire.
Two explosions were heard near Jask in Hormozgan Province at about 21:45 within a short interval.
Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned Iran would strike U.S. bases if Iranian tankers were hit.

Summary

Trump AI Threat

U.S. President Donald Trump posted an AI video on Aug 31 claiming Kharg Island would be blown to smithereens.
Trump announced on June 11 a plan to seize Kharg Island, then withdrew it before the June 17 agreement.
The U.S. blockade began after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, moving about one-fifth of world oil.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned vessels in Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports hosting U.S. personnel could be targeted.

History

Historical Context

On 18 April 1988, under President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Navy launched Operation Praying Mantis—retaliation for the 14 April mining of USS Samuel B. Roberts—to destroy two Iranian oil platforms and two frigates, pressuring Iran toward a July cease-fire. Today, U.S. warships again target Iranian tankers near Kharg Island and Jask, echoing the 1988 showdown and a Trump-era AI video warning.

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U.S. Attacks Iranian Tankers

U.S. officials said American forces attacked Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and Jask in Iran’s waters.
Two explosions were heard near Kharg Island in Bushehr Province with no immediate smoke or fire.
Two explosions were heard near Jask in Hormozgan Province at about 21:45 within a short interval.
Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned Iran would strike U.S. bases if Iranian tankers were hit.

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