Middle East tensions flare as U.S. and Iran report tanker sinkings, shipping disrupted in Hormuz

BlockBeats report: Fighting across the Middle East continued on September 6, with the U.S. military and Iran's Revolutionary Guard each claiming to have sunk or hit the other side's tankers and related vessels, adding to mounting risks for commercial shipping. U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces sank three oil tankers operated by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran's Revolutionary Guard, in turn, claimed it struck three vessels linked to the United States as well as three tankers. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office said multiple commercial ships in the Gulf were hit by "mission-killing fire." An IRGC official said ships in the Strait of Hormuz were "punished" on a daily basis last month. One institution said the targeted tanker in Iran was empty and that its engine room was hit. More than six months after the U.S.-Iran conflict began, U.S. intelligence agencies assess Iran has "gained confidence" and may seek to extend the conflict at least until the November midterm elections. Iran's military warned it would launch a larger-scale strike against U.S. forces if Washington continues what it called destructive actions. Iran denied reports that its nuclear facility in Isfahan was attacked. Separately, Fars News said explosions were heard near Iran's Hengam Island, with the cause still unclear. SNN News Agency reported that an Iranian tanker near Kharg Island was struck by a missile, with no casualties reported so far. In other regional developments, the Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah personnel and facilities in southern Lebanon. On the energy front, Iraq's oil minister said the country has raised its oil export capacity to more than 3 million barrels per day. Qatar's prime minister discussed de-escalation and maritime security with Lebanon's prime minister, according to the report.