CAIRO (AP) — Iran stated on Sunday that it struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that the U.S. military dismissed as a "total lie." The alleged attack occurred a day after the U.S. military reported that its forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to ballistic missile attacks targeting Navy warships. Experts have described this as a dangerous escalation following previous Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Since a fragile ceasefire agreement was announced in June, intermittent fighting has continued, with both sides inflicting military and economic damage amid stalled negotiations.
Last week, the U.S. and Iran resumed attacks after a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran's southern coast again becoming focal points. Earlier in the week, at least five individuals were reported killed during a U.S. bombardment that drew attention back to the region, where a school was hit in the initial strikes of the conflict.
The Trump administration has adopted a dual approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks in the strait while targeting foreign financial institutions involved with Iran's finances. Iran's new leadership has indicated a determination to withstand sanctions, finding methods to circumvent them and maintain oil sales despite a U.S. blockade of its ports. This includes a shadow fleet for transporting oil.
The Strait of Hormuz is critical for global oil and natural gas shipments, previously recognized as an international waterway. On Sunday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that an average of 9 million barrels of oil per day are currently passing through the strait, which he stated should help alleviate pressure on energy prices. This estimate appears to exceed average flows over the past 28 days, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources.
Wright noted that with oil also being transported through regional pipelines, the flow is likely two-thirds or more of pre-conflict levels. However, these flows depend on the U.S. Navy's presence for escorting tankers and providing protection against potential Iranian attacks. Wright expressed expectation that other countries would eventually support the Navy's efforts.
Meanwhile, Iran's nuclear program, a contributing factor to the conflict, was intended to be addressed in negotiations that collapsed shortly after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June. Diplomats indicate that the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are now looking to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for noncompliance with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.
Magdy reported from Cairo and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Josh Boak in Bridgewater, New Jersey, contributed to this report.