Iran said on Sunday it collided with an unmanned US ship trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a claim the US military dismissed as a “total lie”. The alleged attack came a day after the US military said its forces attacked three Iranian oil tankers in response to Navy warships being attacked with ballistic missiles. Experts called it a dangerous escalation after Iran’s previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping. The war began with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. But since a fragile ceasefire agreement was announced in June, intermittent fighting has persisted, with both sides attempting to inflict military and economic pain as negotiations falter. The attacks came about a week after fighting resumed. Iran’s southern coast is once again a target. At least five people were killed earlier this week during a US bombing that brought attention back to the area where a school was hit in the first attacks of the war. The Trump administration appears to have taken a dual approach to the conflict, responding militarily to cross-strait attacks while also going after foreign financial institutions that handle Iran’s money. Get the latest national news Get the latest Canadian news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you don’t miss any breaking news. But Tehran’s new hardline leaders have signaled their willingness to move forward after enduring decades of sanctions. Over the years, Iran has found ways to circumvent sanctions, and now the US blockade of its ports, and get its oil to buyers to help ease growing economic pressures. That depends in part on a shadow fleet that transports its oil. 1:58 Iran war reignites with new attacks after pause US says millions of barrels of oil a day pass through strait More about the world More videos Tehran’s new influence is centered on the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global oil and natural gas shipments. It was considered an international waterway before the war began. On Sunday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that, on average, 9 million barrels of oil per day pass through the strait, which should help relieve pressure on energy prices. Their estimate appeared to exceed average flows over the past 28 days through the strait, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources. Wright told CNN that since oil also flows through pipelines in the region, “we are probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows.” Wright said he hoped other countries would eventually support the Navy’s efforts. Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear program, the issue that contributed to the outbreak of war, was due to be addressed in negotiations that collapsed shortly after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June. Diplomats say the United States, Britain, France and Germany are now seeking to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for failure to meet its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.—Magdy reported from Cairo and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Josh Boak in Bridgewater, New Jersey, contributed to this report. © 2026 The Canadian Press