For the First Time, US Attacks Two Iranian Government Tankers
The United States military attacked two Iranian government-owned tankers on Tuesday (1/9) local time, as part of a broader series of strikes against Tehran. The two tankers bombarded by Washington’s forces were reportedly anchored off the coast of Iran.
The targeting of the Iranian tankers is described as a new ‘tanker for tanker’ deterrence policy approved by US President Donald Trump.
According to reports from Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (2/9/2026), Axios cited several unnamed US official sources. The US has been striking Iranian targets since the end of last weekend, and Tehran has retaliated by targeting US military facilities in the Middle East.
The attack, according to Axios, marks the first time the US has targeted Iranian tankers as a retaliatory measure for attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than to prevent violations of a US naval blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas supplies, has become the latest flashpoint of dispute between Washington and Tehran. Both nations are contesting control over this strategic waterway, which has been largely blockaded since the war broke out in late February.
A US official, quoted by Axios, stated that the operation targeting the Iranian government tankers is part of the new ‘tanker for tanker’ policy approved by Trump, aimed at preventing Tehran from attacking tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
According to US officials, several US combat drones fired missiles that struck the engine rooms of both Iranian tankers.
The strikes were carried out while both tankers were anchored off the Iranian coast, specifically north of the US naval blockade line.
US officials stated that approximately 100 Iranian targets were attacked on Tuesday (1/9) local time, including air defence locations, radar systems, mine-laying assets, communication facilities, anti-ship cruise missile launchers, and combat drone launchers belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, has confirmed that the latest wave of attacks targeted IRGC units that threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Axios reported that the strikes are part of a broader strategy to prevent Iran from rebuilding the capabilities used to disrupt shipping.
According to a US official, the attacks have weakened Iran’s capabilities and will “provide at least one month” of a lower threat level for commercial vessels.