Iran Claims Attack on US Vessel in Strait of Hormuz; US Military Denies Incident

CAIRO (AP) — Iran stated on Sunday that it struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that the U.S. military dismissed as a "total lie." This incident marks the latest escalation in tensions between the two nations. The alleged attack occurred a day after the U.S. military reported that its forces targeted three Iranian oil tankers in response to a missile attack on Navy warships. The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Since a ceasefire agreement was announced in June, intermittent fighting has continued, with both sides seeking to inflict military and economic damage amid stalled negotiations. Fighting resumed last week after a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Iranian communities again becoming targets. Earlier in the week, at least five individuals were reported killed due to a U.S. bombardment in southern Iran. The Trump administration has adopted a dual-pronged strategy in the conflict, responding militarily to attacks in the strait while also targeting foreign financial institutions that manage Iran’s finances. Tehran's new hard-line leadership has indicated a resolve to withstand ongoing sanctions. Over the years, Iran has developed methods to bypass sanctions and the U.S. blockade, facilitating the transport of its oil to buyers to alleviate economic pressures, including the use of a shadow fleet. Additionally, Iran's nuclear program, which contributed to the conflict's outbreak, was intended to be a topic of negotiation that collapsed shortly after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June. Diplomats report that the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are considering referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council for failing to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Tehran's current leverage appears to focus on the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, vital for global oil and natural gas shipments, which was recognized as an international waterway prior to the war.