Iran launches missile strikes on US warships despite radar loss, sparking China-Russia aid concerns
Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at US Navy vessels twice in two days, while US forces evaded and kept patrolling, prompting worries that China or Russia may have supplied targeting data.
Over the past two days the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched two ballistic missile attacks against United States Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to CENTCOM, which also said Iran sank five of its own oil tankers. US warships successfully evaded the missiles and maintained their patrol duties without any personnel casualties. Reportedly, every missile launch failed, with some described as "close calls."
Military experts highlighted that Iran's maritime radar capability has been largely neutralized, making precise targeting unlikely without external assistance. This has revived speculation that China or Russia may be providing location data for US vessels, a theory echoed by earlier reports of Iranian drone strikes on CIA sites and a July attack on a Jordanian air base. While President Donald Trump has denied any involvement by the two powers, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that they are enabling certain Iranian activities.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps convey the same core facts that Iran obtained high-resolution satellite images from Chinese sources before the Jordan missile strike and that U.S. officials did not name the Chinese companies nor accuse the Chinese government directly.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the imagery link as the "clearest evidence" of possible Chinese support while emphasizing that officials stopped short of blaming the Chinese government.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage stresses that Chinese entities supplied the images to Iran, highlighting the alleged Chinese role but also noting the lack of identified companies or direct government accusation.
The right emphasises
- Chinese entities gave Iran satellite images
- officials declined to identify the Chinese companies
- no accusation of direct Chinese government involvement
How this story developed
- Jul 20 U.S. and Iran intensify air strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy stalls
- Sep 3 Iran's army claimed radar systems and locations where American forces were stationed at the UAE's Al Minhad Air Base were attacked with missiles and drones.
- Sep 4 Iran has begun testing methanol as an oxygenate in its gasoline blend.
- Sep 4 Iran announced missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sep 5 Republican committees have filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Fourth Circuit ruling.
- Sep 5 U.S. forces hit launchers on Larak Island and Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. sites in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sep 5 Vance publicly downplayed the reported civilian deaths from the alleged strike.
- Sep 5 Eyewitnesses said the explosions shattered the wedding celebration in Kuhestak.
- Sep 7 GasBuddy released a forecast predicting a $4.03 average gasoline price for the Labor Day weekend.
- Sep 7 Brent crude climbed to about $97 a barrel as US‑Iran clashes intensified, and analysts said gasoline prices may ease in October with the shift to winter‑grade fuel.
- 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 11 Trump said he would repeat his decision to go to war with Iran.
Related stories
76 in this thread