US and Iran trade fire after IRGC attacks American warships

In the early hours of September 5, 2026, the United States and Iran engaged in a naval confrontation, following an attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two American warships. The US Central Command (Centcom) stated it retaliated by striking three Iranian oil tankers – the Kylo and Stark I in the Gulf of Oman, and the Downy near Kharg Island.

Centcom reported that the Kylo sank after the US attack, with the crew ordered to abandon ship before it received hits in critical areas. Video footage revealed the vessel listing heavily prior to sinking. In response to the IRGC's attack on the American ships, Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom's chief, declared, "Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost – taking out three of yours.

We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet."

Iranian state media reported that four US missiles struck a tanker near Kharg Island's anchorage around 8 am local time on Saturday. The crew was successfully evacuated, with no casualties reported initially. The US confirmed its forces targeted the Downy near the island as well. The IRGC warned commercial vessels against using unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to attack any suspected violations.

The IRGC also claimed it attacked three tankers and three US-linked vessels in other regions, though these claims have not been independently verified.

The tension persisted on Sunday, with the IRGC asserting it had targeted a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. Washington has not confirmed these claims. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, with data indicating only one commodity vessel crossing on Saturday, while other ships were observed transiting with their tracking systems switched off.

US President Donald Trump stated that Washington is assisting up to 40 vessels per night in passing through the strait. Many shipowners have opted to avoid the chokepoint due to fears of Iranian attacks. Some vessels have sailed from the Gulf with transponders turned off. President Trump threatened Iran with further military action, previously posting an AI-generated video depicting Kharg Island being "blown to smithereens."

Iranian officials warned that any attack on the island would provoke a strong response. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone discussions with Saudi and Turkish Foreign Ministers on Saturday evening, discussing regional developments and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation, including addressing what Tehran termed "imposed insecurity" in the strait.