U.S. Military Strikes Iranian Tankers as Part of New Policy

<p>The U.S. military conducted strikes against two Iranian government tankers on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, according to U.S. officials. This action marks the first instance of the U.S. military targeting Iranian tankers in retaliation for Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than to enforce a naval blockade.</p><p>A U.S. official indicated that this operation was part of a new "tanker for tanker" policy approved by President Trump, aimed at deterring further Iranian attacks on tankers in the strait.</p><p>During the strikes, approximately 100 targets were reportedly attacked. The Iranian tankers were located off the Iranian coast, north of the U.S. naval blockade line, and U.S. drones launched missiles that struck their engine rooms. Additional targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense sites, radar systems, mine-laying capabilities, communications sites, anti-ship cruise missile launchers, and attack drone launchers.</p><p>U.S. officials stated that Iran's retaliation was ineffective, with around 25 ballistic missiles fired, of which only half reached Jordanian airspace. Ten missiles were intercepted, and three landed without causing casualties. Iran also launched drones at U.S. bases in Bahrain, most of which were intercepted, and fired ballistic missiles and drones at U.S. bases in Kuwait. Two drones targeted a U.S. base in Erbil, Iraq, but were also intercepted.</p><p>The White House and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) characterized the strikes as a response to recent IRGC attempts to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. bases in the region. The strikes were also part of a broader strategy being considered by Trump and his senior aides to prevent Iran from rebuilding its radar and missile capabilities necessary for attacking ships in the strait.</p><p>One U.S. official mentioned that the goal is to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, U.S. Navy ships, and Air Force aircraft, describing the approach as "mowing the lawn." Another official stated that the strikes degraded Iran's attack capabilities in the strait and provided "at least a month" of reduced threat levels for commercial shipping.</p><p>Despite the ongoing exchanges of fire, U.S. forces continued to guide ships through the strait. On Tuesday, around 40 ships transited in and out, carrying millions of barrels of oil. U.S. forces intercepted several anti-ship cruise missiles and drones fired by the IRGC toward these vessels, with no reported hits.</p><p>The situation escalated further with conflicting reports regarding civilian casualties. Iranian media claimed that a U.S. strike hit a wedding ceremony in the town of Kuhestak, resulting in at least four deaths and 35 injuries. CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins responded, stating that the U.S. military does not target civilians, in contrast to the IRGC.</p><p>A U.S. official remarked, "The Iranians have not only lost control of the Strait of Hormuz, they have also lost control over the conflict. They got nothing today."</p>