Iran Claims "Ballistic Missiles Fired at U.S. Carrier and Destroyer," Says USV Also Attacked

US: "All Warships Evaded Attacks, No Casualties"

Conflicting Claims of Damage by Both Sides

Three Tankers Struck as Maritime Retaliation Escalates

Heightened Tension in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran claimed that after it launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a destroyer, it also attacked a U.S. unmanned surface vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. refuted this, saying that no damage was inflicted on U.S. vessels or personnel as a result of the Iranian ballistic missile attack.

US military aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. (Not directly related to the article)

According to reports from the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP) on September 6 (local time), Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the previous day that it had fired multiple ballistic missiles at one U.S. aircraft carrier and one guided-missile destroyer.

The IRGC claimed that the vessels in question had been interfering with Iranian ships and participating in the U.S. maritime blockade, and that after suffering damage from the attack, they withdrew from the area of engagement out of concern for further attacks. The IRGC warned that if U.S. attacks continue, the U.S. would face a "devastating response."

However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that, contrary to Tehran’s assertions, the U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer evaded all attack attempts and that no U.S. personnel were injured. The specific vessels targeted were not disclosed. Claims by Iran regarding damage to U.S. ships have also not been independently verified.

CENTCOM responded to Iran’s missile attack by striking three Iranian oil tankers on September 5. It reported disabling the M/T Downey near Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and completely destroying the empty oil tanker M/T Kylo (also known as Noxen) in the Gulf of Oman after ordering its crew to abandon ship.

The U.S. maintained that these vessels were part of the IRGC's multibillion-dollar "shadow network" that funds the Revolutionary Guard and pro-Iranian armed groups in the region. U.S. Central Command Commander Brad Cooper warned, "If you attack two of our ships, we will remove three of yours, imposing an even higher economic cost," and stated that additional attacks on Iran’s oil transport fleet could take place if necessary.

Iran then claimed to have conducted retaliatory strikes. State media reported that the IRGC had attacked three tankers using routes unauthorized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three other U.S.-linked ships in separate waters. The AP noted these Iranian claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

A few hours later, the IRGC further announced that it had attacked a U.S. unmanned surface vessel (USV). According to Iranian state IRIB broadcasting, IRGC naval forces claimed to have attacked a U.S. military USV that tried to enter the protected zone of the Strait of Hormuz. No details regarding the method of attack, the USV model, or the extent of any damage were disclosed. No confirmation regarding this alleged attack or related damage has been made by the U.S. so far. AFP reported these details, citing the Iranian announcement.

The AP assessed that Iran's selection of a U.S. aircraft carrier as a ballistic missile target has escalated the recent maritime confrontation to a new level. Danny Citrinowicz, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, analyzed that Iran is now willing to accept risks it previously sought to avoid in order to directly threaten key U.S. assets.

Maritime clashes between the U.S. and Iran have intensified again after U.S. forces struck an Iranian rocket launcher near the Strait of Hormuz on July 30. Following approximately a month-long lull, both sides resumed tit-for-tat attacks on U.S. bases, Iranian military facilities, merchant vessels, and oil tankers.

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, where the clashes have intensified, has also dropped sharply. According to maritime data provider Kpler, only four bulk carriers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on September 3, well below the recent 10-day average of 15. Before the conflict, about 125 merchant ships a day traversed the strait.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.