West Asia conflict LIVE updates: U.S., Iran exchange fresh fire

Home News World The latest round of clashes, which began with U.S. raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in the six-month war Updated - September 06, 2026 07:26 am IST Fire and smoke rise during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iranian oil carriers, at an unknown location in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on September 5, 2026. Photo: U.S. Central Command/Handout via Reuters The United States and Iran traded fresh fire on Sunday (September 6, 2026), as U.S. said it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers in response to attempted missile attacks on naval vessels, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saying they targeted U.S.-linked ships in response.The latest round of clashes, which began with U.S. raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in the six-month war. Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz as Washington continues pressing its counter-blockade of Iranian ports.In addition to the renewed military action, Washington is also seeking to choke Iran’s economy, announcing sanctions on entities with financial links to the Islamic republic in a bid to force it into submission. The Trump administration has been seeking to play down the significance of the six-month conflict, which has proven increasingly unpopular at home as midterm elections near.(With inputs from wires)Follow live updates here:September 06, 2026 07:26 IRGC targets oil tankersFollowing the U.S. strikes, the IRGC said their naval forces “targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorized route of the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America in other areas.”It warned other ships not to attempt to transit by unapproved routes.CENTCOM did not immediately respond to AFP’s questions about the IRGC claims. There were no immediate reports from the UKMTO shipping agency of civilian tankers being targeted in the strait.The Iranian foreign ministry earlier hit out at Washington over the strikes on the oil tankers, calling them “illegal and aggressive actions.”- AFPSeptember 06, 2026 07:25 Trump administration tries to downplay warThe Trump administration has tried to downplay the significance of the six-month conflict, which has proven increasingly unpopular at home as midterm elections near.U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance went so far as to say that he “wouldn’t call it a war.”U.S. President Donald Trump backed his comments on Friday, calling the Iran war “small potatoes” for Washington.Iran’s Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei warned this week that the Islamic republic had adopted a “new strategy” against Washington in the war that “will shatter your foundations.”- AFPSeptember 06, 2026 07:24 U.S. military strikes oil tankers as Iran vows tougher reprisalsThe United States said it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers in response to attempted missile attacks on naval vessels, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saying they targeted U.S.-linked ships in response.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Saturday it targeted tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accusing the most powerful arm of the Iranian military of unsuccessfully firing at American warships.“Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask,” it said.- AFP Published - September 06, 2026 07:21 am IST