Iran claims US missile hits tanker near Kharg Island; IRGC claims MQ-1 drone shot down over Strait of Hormuz | Today’s news
Iranian media reported on Tuesday (September 8) that a US missile hit a small Iranian tanker near Kharg Island, with no casualties reported, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continued to escalate. The news came alongside Iran’s claim that its Revolutionary Guards intercepted and destroyed an advanced MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency said a small Iranian tanker was targeted by a US missile about four miles from Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.
Tasnim said the vessel was hit by a projectile fired by US forces operating near the anchorage on Kharg Island. No casualties were reported.
The claim has not been independently verified.
Explosions reported on an island in the Persian Gulf
The attack on the tanker came shortly after Iranian local media reported several explosions on Kharg Island.
The island is strategically important to Iran’s energy sector, as much of the country’s oil exports are transported through its facilities.
Iranian media also reported two explosions in the southern port of Jask, adding to fears of attacks on Iran’s energy and maritime infrastructure.
The IRGC claims an MQ-1 drone was destroyed over Hormuz
In a separate statement carried by Iran’s state television, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it foiled a drone attack over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guards claimed that an advanced MQ-1 drone was intercepted and destroyed by what they described as a new advanced Iranian defense system operating within the country’s integrated air defense network.
The IRGC did not identify the operator of the drone. The MQ-1 is used by only a small number of countries, including the United States of America.
Iran threatens US bases over tanker attacks
Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi has warned that Tehran will attack US bases across the region if Iranian oil tankers are attacked.
According to state television, Abdollahi said the US military had issued a warning to evacuate Iranian oil tankers ahead of possible strikes.
He warned that any attack on Iranian oil tankers would trigger attacks by Iranian armed forces on US bases in the region.
Rubio blames Iran for Houthi attacks
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of being behind attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia.
Rubio said the Houthis were, in many ways, agents and proxies of Iran, and that some of the attacks were clearly behind an “Iranian hand.”
The comments came as the Houthis launched a new offensive to seize territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime junction linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The US has imposed sanctions on the remaining Iranian airlines
Washington also expanded its economic pressure on Tehran by imposing sanctions on what it said were all remaining Iranian airlines that had not previously been penalized.
The US Treasury Department said the latest measures target 36 entities and individuals supporting Iran’s aviation sector, which Washington says is used to transport weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.
Iran says Oman talks show ‘significant progress’
Despite escalating military tensions, Iran said diplomatic efforts with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz had progressed.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there had been “significant progress” in talks the two countries have been holding for weeks.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi discussed the latest status of negotiations with his Japanese counterpart and reported significant progress in talks between Iran and Oman.
Israel attacks southern Lebanon
Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, killing 13 people, including women and children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The strikes marked an intensification of violence after a week-long lull in fighting. No new Israeli strikes were reported in the region as of Tuesday evening.
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