Iran Says US Warships Targeted as Maritime Tensions Escalate
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim ballistic missile strikes damaged two US warships as Washington says the vessels evaded the attacks.
Iran and the United States face renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and regional waters.
TEHRAN, September 6, 2026: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its forces targeted a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer with ballistic missiles, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The IRGC said the two vessels were targeted by its Aerospace Force after allegedly harassing Iranian ships and participating in a maritime blockade.
According to the Iranian military, both US warships sustained damage and subsequently left the area. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) gave a different account, saying the two vessels evaded the missile attacks and that no American personnel were injured.
Iran Threatens ‘Heavier’ Response
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the era of what he called “proportionate responses” had ended.
Ghalibaf warned that any future aggression against Iran’s interests or security would face what he described as a “faster, heavier, and more painful” response.
Meanwhile, IRNA reported that Ghalibaf said Iranian strikes on US bases had left American leaders in a difficult position.
The comments came as tensions continued to rise around the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic waterways.
IRGC Claims US Warships Were Damaged
The IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer.
Iranian officials claimed the ships had been involved in a maritime blockade and had harassed Iranian vessels.
The Guards said both ships left the “engagement area” after suffering damage. However, the claim has not been independently verified.
CENTCOM said Iran had launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships operating in regional waters. According to the US military, both vessels successfully avoided the attacks.
The US command also said no American personnel were harmed.
Iran Reports Attack on US Military Vessel
In a separate statement, the IRGC Navy said it had attacked a remotely operated US military vessel.
Iran claimed the vessel was attempting to enter a protected area near the Strait of Hormuz. The Guards did not provide further details about the incident.
It also did not say whether the vessel suffered damage.
Iranian authorities reiterated their position that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iranian management. They called on the United States to leave the region.
US Forces Redirect 92 Commercial Vessels
The confrontation comes as Washington enforces what CENTCOM describes as a maritime blockade against Iran.
US Central Command said American forces had redirected 92 commercial vessels as of September 6. It added that three vessels had been disabled and two had been boarded.
CENTCOM also said an F-35A stealth fighter was conducting patrols over regional waters.
The US military has not indicated that the vessel operations are directly linked to the latest Iranian missile claims.
IRGC Warns of Economic Costs
The IRGC also warned that Washington could face significant economic costs from its pressure campaign against Tehran.
IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohibi told Mehr News Agency that every dollar of economic damage imposed on Iran could potentially create several dollars in costs for the United States.
He said Iran would not surrender to sanctions or military pressure.
Mohibi also argued that US reliance on naval forces, aircraft carriers and military power would not necessarily force Tehran to retreat.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that continued economic and military pressure could trigger wider consequences for Washington and its allies.
US Sinks Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman
Separately, CENTCOM said US forces had sunk an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
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The US command identified the vessel as the M/T Kylo and said the action followed what it described as a military operation.
CENTCOM praised the precision and professionalism of US service members in carrying out the operation.
Iran has not provided an independent account of the incident in the material available.
Lebanon Condemns Israeli Strikes
The wider regional crisis also affected Lebanon on Sunday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned renewed Israeli strikes on Nabatieh and surrounding areas.
Aoun said the attacks had caused civilian casualties and severely damaged a Finance Ministry building. He also said Ghandour Hospital had been destroyed.
The Lebanese president described the targeting of government institutions and health facilities as a dangerous escalation.
He called on the United States and the international community to act urgently to halt the attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
At the same time, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and maintaining stability in the south.
Iran and Turkey Discuss US Negotiations
Against the backdrop of escalating military tensions, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional developments by telephone.
According to Anadolu Agency, the two ministers reviewed the latest developments in negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Their discussion comes as military confrontation and diplomatic efforts continue simultaneously.
Kharg Island Remains a Major Flashpoint
US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly raised the possibility of military action against Iran’s Kharg Island.
On August 31, Trump posted an AI-generated video depicting the island being destroyed. Iranian authorities subsequently warned of a strong response if the strategic location came under attack.
Kharg Island plays a major role in Iran’s oil exports. Before the current conflict, Iran reportedly exported most of its crude through the island.
However, oil flows have faced major disruption amid the US blockade and wider tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway is particularly important to global energy markets because it previously carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Oil Prices Rise as Tensions Persist
The continuing confrontation has also increased concerns over global energy supplies.
Brent crude futures closed at $96.28 a barrel on Friday, their highest level since July 24, according to the supplied report.
Further military escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could put additional pressure on global oil markets.
For now, Iran and the United States continue to issue sharply different accounts of military incidents. As tensions persist, the region remains vulnerable to further confrontation, particularly around key shipping routes and energy infrastructure.
