Wednesday 9 September 2026 07:30 UTC
US-Iran Fighting Escalates With Tanker Strikes and Missiles
In the 24 hours ending 9 September at 07:30 UTC, fighting between Iran and the United States sharply escalated.
The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. Iran had tried twice to strike a US warship, but neither attack succeeded. American forces warned Iranian crews to leave the tankers before striking them.
Iran then launched about 30 to 35 ballistic missiles, mainly targeting US forces in Jordan. Jordan said its defences engaged 20 missiles and intercepted 18. Two missiles landed in empty areas, and no deaths were reported. All American troops in Jordan were accounted for.
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Iran threatened heavy attacks on US bases and interests across the Middle East. Its forces also warned crews to leave tankers near Kuwait and Bahrain.
The United States sanctioned 36 entities linked to Iran’s aviation industry. They included 27 Iranian airlines and aviation groups. Washington accused the sector of moving weapons, personnel and illegal cargo. Britain also plans to restore sanctions against Iran with European and American support.
Iran said it seized an American underwater drone near the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said the older drone had malfunctioned days earlier. It held no sensitive data or classified equipment.
Houthi attacks hit Saudi energy sites and civilian areas. A fire broke out at the Jizan oil refinery. The conflict has reached its sharpest escalation since the 2022 ceasefire.
Ukraine received three new Patriot missile support packages. The European Union provided €3.2 billion for interceptors. Britain added £100 million, while Germany supplied missiles from its military stocks.
Ukrainian drones struck port infrastructure in Novorossiysk, Russia. Local authorities blamed falling drone debris for damage across the city.
A Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace. The breach closed Iași Airport and caused a temporary shelter order in Romania.
Donald Trump, the US president, spoke with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, after recent peace talks. Putin told Trump that Russia had no hostile plans toward Europe. A US defence official warned that preparations must cover a long war in Ukraine.
Britain sanctioned Israeli settlers over recent attacks and actions in the West Bank. The measures included trade controls on goods from Israeli settlements. Israel responded by announcing the closure of Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem.
Trump ordered Canadian products removed from US federal purchasing lists unless Canada opens its market further. The affected contracts cover more than $50 billion each year.
Investigators released new details about the fatal cargo aircraft crash in Miami. The crew briefly increased power for a possible second landing attempt. They then reapplied the brakes before the aircraft overran the runway. Five people died and five suffered injuries.