Iran and US Exchange Strikes as Tankers Hit Mines

The United States and Iran have escalated a military conflict in the Gulf through a series of retaliatory strikes and maritime blockades. On September 2, Iran launched attacks against U.S. targets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Erbil, Iraq. These actions followed U.S. bombings of Iranian military targets on September 1 that killed 18 people and targeted two tankers under a new "tanker for tanker" policy.

Concurrent with the airstrikes, two oil tankers, including the Saudi vessel SIDR, were disabled in the Strait of Hormuz on August 31. Two Filipino sailors were killed aboard the SIDR. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the vessels struck sea mines while using an "illegal route" and were under the control of American agents. A Greek security firm reported the ship was hit by "unknown projectiles.

The conflict intensified starting August 30, when U.S. Central Command attacked rocket launchers on Larak Island. Subsequent U.S. strikes in southern and western Iran reportedly killed civilians at a wedding ceremony in Sirik County and damaged a fishmeal factory and civilian airport. The United States maintains it does not intentionally target civilians.

President Donald Trump warned that Iranian military responses would be met with harder and higher-level strikes. The escalation has triggered a global market selloff, pushing Brent crude oil prices to $95 per barrel.