Iran claims ship strike as Trump weighs "annihilate" decision amid Gulf tensions
Iran says it hit a vessel crossing the Strait of Hormuz, while a UK maritime agency reported two tanker attacks, and Donald Trump announced he will soon decide whether to launch a major assault on Tehran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it fired on a Togo-flagged vessel it deemed an illegal crossing of the Strait of Hormuz, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported two tanker incidents involving unknown projectiles, one causing a fire that was later extinguished. Donald Trump said he is poised to make a "big decision" on whether to launch a large-scale attack to "annihilate" the Iranian regime, ahead of a planned meeting with Persian Gulf leaders during the UN General Assembly.
Russia and China used their vetoes to block a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of experts monitoring sanctions re-imposed on Iran. The US State Department also granted visas to Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for the assembly, despite the ongoing conflict. In related developments, the US approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35A fighters to Saudi Arabia, and U.S. officials said Iranian forces have downed at least two American MQ-1 drones in recent days.
Why it matters
The incidents heighten Gulf security risks and signal a possible escalation of U.S. military action against Iran.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 U.S. and Iran intensify air strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy stalls
- Sep 9 Donald Trump said the war with Iran will end immediately after the November midterm elections, arguing Tehran cannot sustain its campaign.
- Sep 10 Projectiles struck Iran's Sirik coast, causing multiple blasts in Minab County and on Qeshm Island.
- Sep 10 Trump said the war will cease immediately after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
- Sep 10 Trump warned of a possible strike at a midterm Republican gathering.
- Sep 11 Trump said he would repeat his decision to go to war with Iran.
- Sep 13 The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, saying 13 of the 14 Indian crew have been rescued and search continues for the missing Indian national.
- Sep 14 Oman hosts a Gulf meeting on Hormuz while Bahrain refuses to participate.
- Sep 14 President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States is willing to discuss a settlement with Iran to halt the ongoing Middle-East conflict.
- Sep 14 Iranian cargo vessel hit near Qeshm Island, killing one crew member and prompting Oman to delay the Hormuz talks.
- Sep 16 The House of Representatives voted 220-204 to adopt a resolution that orders President Trump to end the ongoing war in Iran, marking a rare bipartisan effort. Seven Republicans—Thomas Massie (KY), Tom Barrett (MI), Warren Davidson (OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Nancy Mace (SC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA) and Zach Nunn (IA)—joined Democrats in supporting the measure, three more than in prior votes. Rep. Jason Crow led the push, emphasizing that both parties are fed up with the conflict, now in its seventh month. On the same day, Rep. Massie, who lost his primary, filed impeachment articles against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of executing unlawful war orders. Public sentiment remains strongly against the war, with an Ipsos poll indicating 71% of Americans favor withdrawal. The resolution reflects growing congressional pressure to rein in presidential war powers.
- Sep 16 Seven Republicans voted for the resolution, three more than in earlier votes.
- Sep 17 Trump announced a side meeting with Gulf leaders at the UN General Assembly to discuss a post‑war strategy.
- Sep 18 UN fact‑finding mission reported that two February U.S. strikes knowingly risked civilians and noted Iranian crimes against humanity.
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