News Screen – Tensions between Iran and the United States have risen again after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard threatened to attack US military interests in the Middle East following an incident with an Iranian tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
This statement was made by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Saturday, May 9 2026, a day after the United States reportedly attacked two Iranian-flagged tankers accused of violating Washington’s maritime blockade.
“Any attacks on Iranian tankers and merchant ships will be met with major attacks on American centers in the region and enemy ships,” the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement quoted by Iranian media.
Also read: US-Iran tensions heat up after tanker incident in the Persian Gulf
This situation adds to tensions in the Persian Gulf region amidst diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran regarding a ceasefire and resolution of the conflict that has been going on for the last 10 weeks.
United States President Donald Trump said he was still waiting for Iran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal for a peace deal.
On the other hand, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, questioned the United States’ seriousness in diplomacy. According to the Iranian news agency, ISNA, Araghchi believes that increasing US military activity in the region has actually increased Tehran’s distrust of Washington.
The latest incident began when US fighter jets reportedly fired on and disabled two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian military officials claimed the country’s navy had carried out a retaliatory attack.
Tensions in the region have also been triggered by a struggle for influence in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic world shipping lane which is the main point for global oil distribution. Iran was previously said to be seeking to tighten control in the region, while the US rejects Tehran’s domination of the international energy route.
Meanwhile, satellite imagery shows an oil spill around Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. Global monitoring agency Orbital EOS said the spill covered an area of more than 52 square kilometers.
However, the environmental organization Conflict and Environment Observatory stated that the oil spill was starting to decrease and was thought to have come from a leak in oil infrastructure.
On another front, tensions are also brewing in southern Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least nine people, while the Hezbollah group launched drones into northern Israel in retaliation for ongoing attacks.
Even though the ceasefire is still in effect, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue to raise concerns about the spread of conflict in the Middle East region.***
