Tehran, September 7 — The United States and Iran have escalated tit-for-tat attacks in the past 24 hours, with Washington targeting three Iranian oil tankers and Tehran hitting tankers and firing a ballistic missile towards US warships patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz. The latest exchanges occurred as of September 6, 2026, according to reporting by Al Jazeera Staff, AP, and Reuters, and have raised concerns about global energy supplies and economic growth.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for oil shipments, and the conflict has disrupted energy supplies and slowed economic growth around the world. Experts have dubbed Iran’s targeting of two US aircraft carriers a “calculated escalation,” as the months-long fighting is increasingly playing out at sea, with both sides trying to exert control over the strategic strait.
The US claims that an increasing volume of oil has started to flow through the strait, though the exact figures are still debatable, while the naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck three Iranian vessels, including a tanker off Kharg Island, the hub through which Iran exported 90 percent of its crude before the war. Another tanker was struck near Jask, and an unladen vessel was hit in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was told to abandon ship.
Retaliation and Warning
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched “several ballistic missiles” at the aircraft carrier and destroyer, accusing them of “harassing Iranian ships” and taking part in a naval blockade.
Defence analyst Wolfgang Pusztai told Al Jazeera, “The Iranians did not only target two ordinary warships – they targeted a missile destroyer and, remarkably, an aircraft carrier … the backbone of the American campaign against Iran.” The IRGC navy warned all vessels in the Gulf or near the Strait of Hormuz not to be “deceived” by the US military and to “refrain from any suspicious movement aimed at transiting unauthorised waterways.” The situation remains tense, with both sides showing no signs of backing down, and diplomatic efforts appear stalled.
The conflict has significant implications for global energy supplies and economic growth, and its impact will be felt by communities and families across the region. As the US and Iran continue to engage in tit-for-tat attacks, the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how the US and Iran will navigate the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and what the consequences will be for global energy supplies and economic growth.
The international community will be closely watching the situation to see how it develops.
