The US Central Command announced on September 5 that American forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at two US naval vessels patrolling regional waters, marking the latest escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the two nations.
According to the official statement, a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple attacks launched by Iranian forces, with no American casualties reported. Following the failed Iranian assault, US strikes permanently disabled the Revolutionary Guard oil tankers "Donnie" near Kharg Island and "Stark 1" near Jask, while also completely destroying the empty tanker "Kello" (also known as "Noxen") in the Gulf of Oman after crew members were ordered to abandon ship, with US forces targeting multiple critical points to render it inoperable.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on the afternoon of September 4, President Donald Trump characterized the confrontation as a "mere military conflict" rather than a war, dismissing it as "a piece of cake" and "not a big deal" for the United States. When responding to reporters' questions, Trump repeatedly drew comparisons to the Vietnam War, noting that the US-Iran conflict has lasted only five months since the February 28 outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war, with American forces losing 18 personnel and currently conducting only "intermittent strikes" against Iran.
Trump insisted that the United States has "already won," claiming that Washington has "firm control over the Strait of Hormuz" and has "prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." The President also stated that US forces might strike Iran's Mount Gaoshan "very soon," referring to the site near the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan Province in central Iran, a location Trump has repeatedly threatened to target due to its underground nuclear facilities. However, Iranian officials have maintained that the Gaoshan facility "is empty."
Meanwhile, the latest assessment report released by US intelligence agencies reveals that after more than six months of American military action against Iran, Tehran has become "more confident" in its ability to strike US military targets across the Middle East while appearing determined to continue confronting America, at least until the November congressional midterm elections. According to information from September 4, multiple US officials who reviewed the intelligence community's latest assessment disclosed that the report shows Iran has gained a clearer understanding of its "military capabilities" after months of warfare and is more convinced of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has attempted to persuade Iran that the strategic value of the Strait of Hormuz will ultimately diminish as Gulf nations construct alternative oil pipeline routes. However, current data indicates that the economic influence of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy transportation, remains remarkably significant. Figures released on September 4 by "GasBuddy," an American retail fuel price information service, showed that the national average retail price of diesel hit a record high on September 3, surpassing the previous peak from June 2022.
Based on current circumstances, although Iran is under dual military and economic pressure from the United States, there are no signs that Tehran intends to reach any form of agreement with Washington. If Iran faces further strikes, its response is likely to mirror previous patterns, namely launching retaliatory attacks on American military bases and other targets in the Middle East. Some US officials believe Iran may attempt to prolong the conflict until at least the November congressional midterm elections, with Tehran calculating that American forces would struggle to conduct large-scale strikes due to depleted weapons inventories.
Jason Crow, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, noted that while Iran has suffered "considerable losses," these damages have not yet exceeded Tehran's threshold of tolerance. He believes the Iranian leadership has become more unified and that Iran still maintains substantial stocks of missiles and drones, potentially positioning itself for a "protracted war."
Due to stalled negotiations with Iran, the United States announced "devastating economic actions" against Tehran on August 19. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent subsequently announced on August 24 that Washington was imposing a new round of sanctions on Iran. According to American sources, the economic sanctions against Iran may continue to escalate tensions in the short term rather than forcing Tehran to capitulate as Washington hopes.
Currently, numerous critics are accusing the Trump administration of underestimating Iran's "resilience." Another member of the House Intelligence Committee stated that throughout this conflict, the US government has lacked a clear strategy while the Iranian government has "withstood the strikes."