Story perspectives

US Destroys Five Iranian Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC · How we work

Center

US Destroys Tankers

The United States destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukrainian officials say the tankers belong to a shadow fleet moving both Iranian and Russian global strategic oil.
Sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk named Kaviz, Charminar and Riesco as linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.
Senate approved Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, voting 86-11.

Left

US Destroys Iranian Tankers

The United States destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes have deepened Iran’s economic crisis, driving soaring inflation and severe hardship for ordinary families and basic living standards.
Inflation hit 89 %, food prices rose 127 % year-on-year, and the rial fell past 1.37 million.
The maritime blockade has halted most Iranian oil exports, sharply reducing foreign-currency earnings.

Blindspot

The attacks have deepened Iran’s economic crisis, with year-on-year inflation reaching 89 % in late August, food prices rising more than 127 % and the rial falling to a record low of over 1.37 million per U.S. dollar.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

During the 1990-91 Gulf War, the U.S.-led coalition imposed a naval blockade, seized Iraqi tankers and slashed oil exports after UN Resolution 678 (29 Nov 1990) authorized force, an operation that drew forces from 42 nations. That same strategy reappears today as the United States intercepted Iranian tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, foreshadowing expanded sanctions on Iran and its partners.

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US Destroys Tankers

The United States destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukrainian officials say the tankers belong to a shadow fleet moving both Iranian and Russian global strategic oil.
Sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk named Kaviz, Charminar and Riesco as linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.
Senate approved Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, voting 86-11.

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