Iran is targeting ships in response to US attacks — can the US stop them?

Al Jazeera
March 17, 2026
3 min read

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Iran is targeting commercial ships in the Persian Gulf in response to U.S. military operations, threatening global shipping.

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Iran is targeting commercial shipping in response to U.S. military operations, escalating maritime tensions in the Middle East. The attacks mirror tactics from the 1980s tanker war, when Iran threatened global oil supplies by striking vessels in the Persian Gulf during its conflict with Iraq. The current targeting reflects Iran's strategy to retaliate against U.S.-Israeli military action without direct confrontation, potentially disrupting international commerce and threatening energy security. U.S. naval assets in the region face the challenge of protecting shipping lanes while managing the broader conflict. The situation underscores the risk of accidental escalation in waters already strained by military operations.

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