US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attack on Navy Ships

Tensions in the Gulf of Oman escalated dramatically on September 5, 2026, as the United States military struck and disabled three Iranian crude oil carriers, following missile and drone attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.

The confrontation began when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships operating in the region. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks, with no American personnel harmed. The IRGC claimed, however, that its missiles struck and damaged both vessels, forcing them to withdraw from the area.

In response to what it described as “unprovoked” Iranian attacks, CENTCOM forces permanently disabled two Iranian crude oil carriers—the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” in the Gulf of Oman, striking it at multiple critical locations after the crew was directed to abandon ship. The U.S. military later released video footage showing the vessel sinking into the Gulf of Oman.

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According to CENTCOM, the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar Iranian “shadow network” allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxy groups. The command noted that Iran has no means to defend these vessels. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper issued a stark warning to the IRGC, stating: “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also issued a direct warning to Tehran via social media: “It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy. Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenceless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all.” The strikes marked the first reported U.S. attacks on Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf since the beginning of the conflict, adding a new dimension to the confrontation and raising concerns over the security of Iran’s maritime energy infrastructure.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. attacks, describing them as “illegal and irresponsible” and a continuation of U.S. military aggression, naval blockade, and economic warfare against Iran. The ministry stated that the actions constituted a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, a war crime, and a threat to international peace and security, adding that the consequences would rest with the United States and its allies. A senior Iranian military official, Brigadier General Habibollah Sayyari, said Iran had withstood attacks despite facing an adversary with extensive technological and military capabilities, describing the conflict as a test of will and endurance. The IRGC warned that continued U.S. military action would draw “heavier” responses from Iran’s armed forces.

Following the attacks, the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain issued a security alert urging American citizens in Bahrain and across the region to exercise heightened vigilance and prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and other travel disruptions amid heightened regional tensions.

The latest clashes have cast new doubt on the already fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which had been announced on April 8, 2026, through Pakistani mediation. The U.S. has maintained its naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, with CENTCOM stating that more than 70 oil tankers are currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports, with the capacity to transport over 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth an estimated $13 billion. As both sides accuse each other of violations and vow further retaliation, the risk of a wider military escalation remains high.

US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attack on Navy Ships

Trump’s Peace Envoys Arrive in Moscow as Russia Bombs Ukraine Airports Overnight

Trump’s special negotiators arrive with a peace proposal as Russian strikes target Kyiv’s airports overnight, prompting Ukraine’s leader to accuse Moscow of trying to derail the diplomatic mission.

US President Donald Trump‘s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner landed in Moscow on Saturday for high-stakes talks aimed at ending more than four years of war in Ukraine. Their plane touched down at Vnukovo Airport at 12:52 pm local time, where they were met by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who shared photos of the meeting on social media with the caption, “Welcome to Moscow Peacemakers.” The diplomatic push comes as Russian strikes hit Kyiv’s two airports overnight, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Moscow of trying to disrupt the envoys’ visit. Zelensky stated on X that the attacks were “a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine.” He added there would be “no threats to diplomacy” from the Ukrainian side. The Russian strikes were “demonstrative,” Zelensky said, and targeted both Kyiv and Boryspil airports “for the first time in a while.”

Trump described Witkoff and Kushner as “two great negotiators” and confirmed they are bringing “a proposal to end the war.” However, he declined to say whether the plan involves Ukraine ceding territory, adding only: “We have an idea for peace.” The visit marks the first trip to Kyiv by Witkoff and Kushner since Trump returned to office last year and promised to bring the war to an end. Both envoys have made several trips to Moscow, with their last visit taking place on January 22, when they held four hours of late-night talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. After their talks in Moscow, the envoys are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday. This would be an unusual move, as Ukrainian airspace has been closed since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with foreign leaders typically traveling to Kyiv by train from Poland. However, plans for the delegation to arrive by plane have been thrown into doubt. A Ukrainian lawmaker, Aleksey Goncharenko, said two old Soviet Yak-40 passenger planes were struck at Zhulyany airport, suggesting the strike was intended as a “signal” to Washington ahead of the visit. A source told Reuters that discussions on the Ukraine portion of the trip were still ongoing, adding: “The Russians don’t want them to visit Kyiv and are trying to make them change the plan.”

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Zelensky reported that Russia struck both Kyiv and Boryspil airports overnight, describing the attacks as “deliberate” and “for the first time in a while.” Separately, a Russian strike on a civilian target in the Dnipro region killed four people and wounded five in the southeastern city of Kamianske. Russian forces also struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv on Friday, with Zelensky stating the attack was aimed at the office of the agency’s acting chief. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described the incident as a “major escalation.” Despite the attacks, Zelensky proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of the US envoys’ trip. “There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks,” he said in his evening address. In what may be a partial response to that proposal, Putin ordered a 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv starting at midnight Saturday, the Kremlin announced. “Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days,” presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Tass, tying the decision to preparations for the envoys’ planned visit to the Ukrainian capital.

The renewed push for diplomacy comes as Russia and Ukraine intensify long-range missile and drone attacks, driving up civilian casualties to levels not seen since the start of the conflict. Peace efforts have stalled in part because of Washington’s war with Iran. Moscow and Kyiv last held peace negotiations under US mediation earlier this year, when they held three rounds of peace talks in January and February. Negotiations have since been paused. Russian officials have signaled they are not in the mood for compromise. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state media that “the US administration must take into account the realities on the ground,” where the situation is changing not in Kyiv’s favor. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the position that Putin set out two years ago – that Ukraine should cede the entire territory of four regions claimed by Russia and abandon its plan to join NATO – was “unshakeable.” Putin himself said on Thursday there was a chance of reaching an agreement to end the war, but he added that Kyiv’s warning to foreign airlines to avoid Russian airspace amounted to a threat that would make talks more difficult. This is not the first attempt at diplomacy. Witkoff and Kushner have traveled repeatedly to Moscow in previous efforts, including three rounds of US-mediated talks earlier this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva. Their latest effort comes more than a week after a rare visit to Moscow by CIA director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against any attack on NATO member states, according to US media. Earlier this week, the United States welcomed the Russian finance minister at a G20 gathering in North Carolina.

Trump’s Peace Envoys Arrive in Moscow as Russia Bombs Ukraine Airports Overnight

FBI Arrests Podcaster Over Alleged Threats to Kill President Trump

Federal agents in Los Angeles have arrested American podcaster and online commentator Azariah Southworth, 40, over allegations that he repeatedly threatened to kill US President Donald Trump and stalked the president’s personal lawyer and his family . Southworth was taken into custody at his home in the Westlake area by FBI agents who surrounded the residence and demanded he come out; he surrendered without incident . The arrest marks the latest in a series of federal prosecutions targeting individuals who have made violent threats against the president, reflecting the government’s zero-tolerance approach to political violence .

According to court documents, prosecutors allege that Southworth used his media presence to spew hatred for Trump and his supporters, calling for the assassination of the president on multiple occasions between January and May 2026 . In a video posted on April 7, Southworth allegedly stated: “I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump” and declared, “This government is illegitimate and out of control. It’s time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump” . In a January text message exchange with an associate, Southworth allegedly said: “If I encounter any Trump official in-person, I’m seriously afraid I will end up in Jail” and added, “But if I could Kill him, I wouldn’t waste the opportunity” . In the same conversation, he reportedly said: “But GOD I want that mother—-r and his minions dead” . In March, prosecutors say Southworth posted another video calling for the death of Trump, saying: “I want to practice my free speech as a survivor of conversion therapy for five years. Kill Donald Trump. Kill that mother—-g pedophile in the White House. Kill that traitor of the United States Constitution” . These statements, prosecutors argue, were not merely hyperbolic expressions of political disagreement but constituted deliberate and serious threats against the life of the sitting president .

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In April, Southworth allegedly posted an edited video depicting himself teleporting into the White House Oval Office, standing behind Trump, and raising a knife up to Trump’s head as if he was about to stab him . Before the screen goes dark, a woman’s scream is heard, and a listing for Southworth’s website appears, advertising “Criminally Insane ANTIFA GEAR” . Later that month, he posted more videos on his YouTube and Instagram accounts depicting fictitious portrayals of acts of violence against President Trump and said that his earlier statement, “Kill Donald Trump,” was “just rhetoric” . Prosecutors, however, argue that the combination of verbal threats, visual imagery, and merchandise promoting violence demonstrates a pattern of behavior that goes far beyond protected speech and crosses into criminal conduct .

Southworth also made a post to his now-deleted Instagram account addressing his followers in the event of his arrest . He stated: “I am making this video today in the event of my arrest. It has been a long-held belief that calling for the execution of the president of The United States will get you put on a list or arrested” . He added: “I have friends who are concerned this will happen to me as I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump” . Prosecutors allege that Southworth said his words knowingly and willfully, and intended them to be taken seriously . The pre-arrest video, which appears to anticipate legal consequences, may be used by prosecutors as evidence that Southworth was aware of the illegality of his statements and chose to make them anyway .

Beyond the threats against the president, Southworth is also accused of targeting a lawyer who worked for Trump . In a January post on his TikTok account, prosecutors say Southworth listed the lawyer’s home address in Brentwood, Tennessee, along with a photograph of the residence, with the caption: “Visit Trump’s personal lawyer. No peace for traitors” . In February, he began texting the lawyer’s son, accusing him of defending pedophiles and child traffickers . He later took to Instagram and posted the personal telephone numbers of the lawyer’s son and his immediate family members, saying: “Do you want to spice up your love life this Valentine’s Day? Then call one of these numbers and let these people know they are pieces of s—t” . Around that time, Southworth called the lawyer and his family at least 13 times and hurled insults at them, prosecutors say. In one chilling voicemail, he reportedly said: “There’s going to come a day when justice comes to your door” . The stalking allegations paint a picture of a sustained campaign of harassment that extended beyond political rhetoric to direct targeting of private citizens, escalating the seriousness of the federal charges .

Southworth faces federal charges including threatening the President of the United States, cyberstalking, and interstate telephone harassment . If convicted on all counts, Southworth could face up to 12 years in federal prison . First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated: “Southworth is charged with posting videos calling for President Trump’s assassination, then targeted the family of the President’s personal attorney by publishing their home address and phone numbers, and leaving voicemails threatening ‘justice comes to your door'” . Essayli added: “Threats against the President of the United States are federal crime. We will not tolerate threats of political violence in the United States. My office will prosecute anyone who crosses that line to the fullest extent of the law” . FBI Special Agent Armando Marquez denounced Southworth’s actions, saying the “U.S. Secret Service has zero tolerance for threats against the President of the United States” . The statements from federal officials underscore the government’s determination to prosecute what it views as a growing trend of violent rhetoric directed at political figures .

Southworth, who formerly hosted a Christian reality show called The Remix, is an advocate for gay rights and describes himself as an “artivist” on his website, where he continues to sell stickers that say “Kill Donald Trump” . He came out of his house and surrendered to FBI agents without incident and refused to answer questions . The allegations against Southworth have not been proven in court, and he remains presumed innocent unless convicted . His arrest comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding Trump and continued federal investigations into threats against the president . The case has drawn attention to the balance between free speech protections and the prohibition against true threats, a legal distinction that will likely be central to Southworth’s defense as the case proceeds through the federal court system .

FBI Arrests Podcaster Over Alleged Threats to Kill President Trump