Fox News reported Thursday that Iran launched four drones and at least one missile at a U.S.-contracted vessel carrying American personnel near the Strait of Hormuz. One projectile struck the ship, causing minor injuries including smoke inhalation. Vice President JD Vance said the ongoing attacks on vessels are affecting global energy markets and signaled continued U.S. operations.
Vice President JD Vance stated Thursday that the ongoing Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are impacting global energy markets, signaling continued U.S. operations. The statement came after Fox News reported that Iran struck a U.S.-contracted vessel carrying American personnel early Thursday, using four drones and at least one missile, causing minor injuries including smoke inhalation.
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents reported by Fox News since Wednesday. At 16:34 Jerusalem on Wednesday, Fox first reported that Iran struck a U.S. military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, wounding several personnel and damaging the ship. Minutes later, a follow-up report specified that the attack involved four drones and a missile, that the vessel was operating under a U.S. contract, and that several American crew members aboard suffered minor injuries and were being treated in a Gulf country. The Zioneer published a background article on the same thread at 17:23 Jerusalem on Wednesday, covering the same report.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of Iranian maritime aggression throughout the summer of 2026. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, September 13, Iran struck a vessel using the Omani route. On July 7, Iran launched ballistic missiles at commercial ships in the strait. On July 1, Vance stated that the U.S. struck Iran in response to ship attacks and is leveraging for safe passage. The broader context includes direct U.S.-Iran conflict following an Iranian ballistic missile attack on a U.S. Marine base in Jordan, leading to major U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iranian infrastructure in southern Iran, as covered in The Zioneer's topic page.
The vessel's identity, the full extent of damage, and the exact timeline of the attack remain unverified. Fox News is the sole source for the incident details. The Vance statement adds political context but no new operational details.
3 developments
- StrongTrump says Iran struck a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, US intercepted three drones
- DevelopingUS shot down two Iranian drones after attempted strike on ships in Hormuz, Fox News reports
- StrongMissile struck near US-escorted ship in Strait of Hormuz; vessel continued transit, report says
- StrongIran used short-range missiles in Strait of Hormuz tanker attacks, US official says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake