US and Iran exchange strikes near Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise

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Posted Sep 17, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-09-17-1200
US and Iran exchange strikes near Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise
Photo: Corriere della Sera

Military exchanges between the US and Iran escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following strikes on naval assets and retaliatory missile launches.

Military confrontations between the United States and Iran have escalated near the Strait of Hormuz. Following an attempted assault on American naval assets, US Central Command reported destroying five vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In response, Tehran launched 20 missiles targeting US installations in Jordan and claimed to hit six vessels, including three tankers and an aircraft carrier.

Despite the heightened security risks and warnings from US intelligence that Iranian forces might escalate hostilities, US President Donald Trump stated that the waterway remains open, describing Tehran as being in "great difficulty." Meanwhile, emergency crews extinguished a fire on a damaged commercial ship, allowing maritime traffic to proceed under close monitoring.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

How outlets assessed this

    • Corriere della Sera Cautious Highlighted US assertions that the Strait of Hormuz remains open while Iranian forces face severe difficulties.
    • La Repubblica Alarmed Focused on Iranian claims of strikes against American naval assets and intelligence warnings of escalating regional conflict.
    • Corriere della Sera Cautious Focuses on US President Trump's assertions that Tehran faces severe difficulties and that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.
    • La Repubblica Alarmed Highlights Tehran's claimed attacks on American vessels and US intelligence warnings regarding potential military escalation by emboldened Iranian forces.
    • Corriere della Sera Cautious Focused on US assertions that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and Iran is facing major operational strain.
    • La Repubblica Alarmed Emphasized Iranian claims of hitting six US and commercial vessels, alongside intelligence warnings of further escalation.
    • Corriere della Sera Cautious Emphasized U.S. assertions that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that Iranian military forces face operational difficulties.
    • La Repubblica Alarmed Highlighted Iranian claims of hitting six vessels and U.S. intelligence warnings that Tehran could escalate the conflict further.
    • Corriere della Sera Cautious Emphasized President Trump's assertions that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that Iranian forces face major operational struggles.
    • La Repubblica Alarmed Highlighted Iranian military claims of successful strikes on U.S. vessels and intelligence warnings regarding potential further escalation.

Sources

Earlier coverage

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