Episode Details

//The Wire//1300Z September 9, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: INTENSE FIGHTING REPORTED IN MIDDLE EAST. IRAN CAPTURES HIGHLY CLASSIFIED AMERICAN DRONE SUBMARINE. UNITED STATES TARGETS 5X MORE TANKERS IN GULF.//

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 -International Events-

Middle East: Major escalations were reported around the region, as the fighting on both sides has intensified back to levels not seen since the height of the war in April. From the United States, attacks on merchant shipping have continued. Overnight, a total of 5x civilian tanker vessels were targeted, some of which were sunk. As of this morning, the full list of ships struck by the United States since yesterday evening is as follows:

M/T RIESCO (IMO: 9251822) - Sunk, Gulf of Oman
M/T DERYA (IMO: 9569700) - Disabled, Kharg Island
M/T HORIZON 1 (IMO: 9130456) - Disabled
M/T KAVIZ (IMO: 9282041) - Disabled
M/T CHARMINAR (IMO: 9318022) - Disabled

From the Iranian side, attacks also escalated sharply overnight, targeting merchant shipping and American bases around the region. These attacks occurred in multiple waves, with the initial waves of missiles being intended to soak up missile interceptors before the most significant second and third waves. As a result of this coordination, substantial missile strikes were reported at Muwaffaq al Salti Airbase, many of which were confirmed to have hit the base. Video evidence from locals confirms that a total of 4x ballistic missile warheads impacted the base. Prince Hassan Airbase was also targeted in a similar manner.

Aside from the targeting of American bases, Iran has claimed to have attacked over 20x commercial vessels in the region overnight. The IRGC-N also claims to have targeted two American Destroyers, the USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG-53) and the USS DELBERT D. BLACK (DDG-119). CENTCOM denies that either vessel was hit, but did confirm that evasive action was required, and the United States struck more civilian ships in retaliation.

Within the Gulf, Iranian forces also posted photo and video evidence confirming that Iran has captured a highly classified Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). One American Dive-LD drone submarine was captured intact by Iran, which was likely being used by the United States to conduct highly precise scans of the seafloor throughout the region, probably in conjunction with mine clearance operations in the Gulf. This platform is one of the most capable submersibles used by the U.S. Navy, and was originally unveiled by Anduril last year.

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Analyst Comments: A full-blown return to the war is probably already underway throughout the Middle East, and all indicators support a widening and/or intensification of the fighting (at least for the time being, as the Tanker War continues). Last night's targeting efforts on all sides were the most significant seen since the height of the war a few months ago. During the attacks in Jordan, the Iranians appear to have used cluster munitions, though the type is not known (these could have been dozens of bomblets, or these could have been inert devices intended to soak up interceptor missiles so that the actual munition penetrates defenses). The last time this type of munition was used was during the targeting of Israeli military bases during the opening days of the war.

Based on the footage observed overnight, dozens of PAC-2 missiles were spent attempting to intercept Iranian missiles, with just one night of fighting probably expending more munitions than have been used over the past 2-3 months. Locals report that by the time the final waves of Iranian missiles arrived in Jordan, zero interceptors were even launched. As a reminder, based on the recent reports of munitions stockpiles, the US has largely expended most of the newer PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system, and have been down to m