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The Sun · Iran · 9 Sept 2026

The headline editorialises, passive voice hides who attacked, and the military's claims carry no caveat.

4.3
/ 10 · article score
scored on 7 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 a consistent evidential standard: if the attribution to Iran is treated as established, remove the scare quotes and use a clear attribution phrase such as 'Tanker hit by drone strike attributed to Iran, off coast of Dubai'; if the attribution remains unverified, reflect that uncertainty explicitly and consistently with the body text.
  • Amend the article to attach a clear verification caveat to the Centcom claim that the ship was destroyed 'in response to attempted IRGC attacks on a U.S. Navy warship', making plain that this is one party's account and has not been independently verified.
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Aggressor framingHeadline analysisMilitary claim verificationCasualty attribution symmetry

Tanker hit by ‘Iranian drone strike’ off coast of Dubai as war lands on doorstep of Brit holiday hotspot AGAIN

Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Comment now A TANKER has been hit by a suspected Iranian drone strike off the coast of Dubai, bringing war to the doorstep of the glam Brit holiday hotspot. It comes amid an escalation of attacks between the US and Iran , with back-and-forth vessel attacks in the embattled Strait of Hormuz. 8 A Kuwait-flagged Al Salmi tanker was attacked by Iran off the coast of Dubai in March Credit: via REUTERS 8 Advertisement The stricken vessel was seen listing in the water mere miles off the coast of Port Rashid, near Dubai’s strip of luxury hotels. The glitzy Emirati city has been the target of numerous Iranian attacks over the course of the protracted conflict . 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. Hours after Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran’s tyrannical leadership, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired a barrage of missiles and drones at the city . Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab was struck and footage showed a raging fire and thick plumes of smoke pouring from its base. Read more about the Iran war TRADING BLOWS Iran attacks US bases as vid shows regime tanker sinking after being blitzed ON THE BLITZ Iran calls US 'great Satan' & blitzes bases as Trump warns of 'biggest' attack 8 Dubai International Airport was attacked by an Iranian suicide drone earlier this year Credit: AFP via Getty Images 8 Brits attempted to flee the glitzy city in their droves after March’s attacks An Iranian suicide drone then ploughed into Dubai airport , forcing flight cancellations and sparking travel panic for hundreds of fleeing Brits . The city’s financial centre also came under attack, with jaw-dropping footage showing the aftermath of a powerful drone strike . Advertisement Repressive rules in the UAE forbade residents and influencers travelling to the city from reporting on the terrifying drone attacks – with some even jailed. In an eerily similar incident to today, a fully-loaded crude oil liner was struck while it was anchored in Dubai port. Most read in The Sun SHAMED ROYAL King Harald’s rapist grandson, 29, seen at funeral after house arrest lifted RAIL CRASH At least 20 injured as train derails after smashing into delivery truck ACTOR CHARGE Noel Clarke charged with string of sex offences against 5 women over 9 years ONE IN A MILLION Woman who died in 'hit & run' near Scots Airport pictured as tributes paid 8 A satellite image shows the aftermath of Iranian attacks in March Credit: 2026 Planet Labs PBC/AFP via Get 8 Footage showed the Burj Al-Arab hotel ablaze after it was hit missile debris Credit: X Now, residents may be worried that the city could face another Iranian onslaught as the war ramps up again . Advertisement Iran targeted US bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles and attacked 10 navy ships overnight. It came after American forces destroyed five regime-linked tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island. Dramatic footage released by US Centcom showed the moment an Iranian tanker was blasted and sent sinking to the bottom of the gulf. 8 US forces destroyed five Iranian tankers, causing Iran to lash out at a US-linked base in Jordan Credit: X/@CENTCOM 8 One vessel exploded into flames before sinking bow-first to the bottom of the sea Credit: X/@CENTCOM Advertisement 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. 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. A huge strike can be seen sending a huge black cloud of smoke into the air. Advertisement The vessel is completely engulfed in flames, tilting dangerously before its stern starts sinking. 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.” 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. 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”. Comment now

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