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The Sun · Iran · 9 Sept 2026

Iran's government is delegitimised as 'the regime', the military's claims carry no caveat, and the legal stakes go unmentioned.

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/ 10 · article score
scored on 6 of 11 measures

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This article can be challenged under the Editors' Code of Practice, Clause 1 (Accuracy).

  • Amend the headline to apply consistent grammatical agency to both sides, for example: 'Iran and US trade strikes: American forces sink Iranian tanker as Tehran targets US bases.' Include a human descriptor or casualty reference if known, so that the human consequences of both sets of military action are treated equivalently.
  • Append a correction note making clear that the claim that the ship was destroyed 'in response to attempted IRGC attacks on a U.S. Navy warship' is the stated position of Centcom alone, that it has not been independently verified, and that it is disputed or unconfirmed by other parties.
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Iran attacks US bases as dramatic vid shows moment regime tanker sinks after being blitzed by American forces

Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook 3 comments 3 IRAN has targeted US bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles and attacked 10 navy ships, after American forces destroyed five regime-linked tankers. Dramatic footage released by US Centcom showed the moment an Iranian tanker was blasted and sent sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman . 6 US forces destroyed five Iranian tankers, causing Iran to lash out at a US-linked base in Jordan Credit: X/@CENTCOM 6 M/T Riesco was sunk in the Gulf of Oman after being blasted by US forces Credit: X/@CENTCOM Advertisement 6 Dramatic video showed the strike on the regime tanker Credit: X/@CENTCOM 6 The vessel exploded into flames before sinking bow-first to the bottom of the sea Credit: X/@CENTCOM Escalating tit-for-tat strikes have shattered weeks of relative calm, which continued over the summer even after a ceasefire between Iran and the US expired. The latest US strikes targeted tankers linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard around Kharg Island and near Jask, east of the Strait of Hormuz. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The US said on Wednesday they had destroyed a total of five Iranian oil tankers, posting dramatic footage of their blitzes. One video showed a powerful strike on the M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman. Read More in World News TRIPLE STRIKE US blitzes 3 Iranian tankers after 'missiles launched towards navy warships' GULF ESCALATION US blasts Iranian tankers in response to Tehran's attack on Navy ships A huge strike can be seen sending a huge black cloud of smoke into the air. The vessel is completely engulfed in flames, tilting dangerously before its stern starts sinking. Advertisement Centcom said the ship was destroyed “in response to attempted IRGC attacks on a U.S. Navy warship”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters: “ Iran continues to try to hit U.S. naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they’re going to lose tankers.” Most read in The Sun FLIGHT FURY BBC star & fiancé unable to fly to their wedding after chaos at UK airports KNIFE HORROR Man shot by armed cops after woman stabbed in house in UK town NAME GAME ‘South Park’ renames hit show - after Donald Trump rebranded Lake Ontario HORROR FALL Moment idiot, 32, jumps 30ft into river in online stunt and smashes into rocks 6 Escalating tit-for-tat strikes have shattered weeks of relative calm Credit: X/@CENTCOM 6 Increased fighting sent oil prices shooting up above $100 a barrel for the first time since July on Wednesday Credit: X/@CENTCOM As the US blasted the tankers, it warned Tehran that it would “if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet “. Advertisement In response to the tanker blasts Iran attempted to wreak revenge with a ballistic missile attack on a base used by US forces near Al Azraq in Jordan , according to the IRGC. The regime claimed it had inflicted heavy damage on the base, but Jordan said it had suffered no casualties, with 18 of the 20 Iranian missiles intercepted and two falling in unpopulated areas. Iran claimed it would set up a new “exclusion zone” near the Strait of Hormuz blocking ships from sailing through. The IRGC said it had also attacked two US ships and eight tankers, attempting to cross a “prohibited and unsafe” area of the critical oil chokepoint. Washington says the crucial waterway remains open and under US control. Advertisement Increased fighting sent oil prices shooting up above $100 a barrel for the first time since July on Wednesday as the re-ignited conflict threatens the global supply. The US said the strikes came after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters. A US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded “multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks”, according to Centcom. No US personnel were hurt, it added. RECOMMENDED STORIES As tensions flare, Donald Trump declared he may strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Advertisement The US president also described the spiralling war with Tehran as “small potatoes for us”. 3 comments 3

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