Iranian Strike Injured Eight US Marines Near Strait Of Hormuz; Oil Shipments Increase

Conflict17 sourcesSep 29, 2026

SplitFactual rigor 52/100

The Story

Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased to an average of about 13.2 million barrels per day over the past week, reaching roughly 77 percent of pre-war levels, according to Kpler tracking data.

This increase occurs amid ongoing talks to implement an Iranian plan to fully reopen the Strait within a week. Iran states it has stepped up attacks on vessels attempting to cross the waterway. Eight US Marines were injured on September 14 in a cruise missile attack on an unidentified vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Three US officials told NBC News about the attack, which the Pentagon had not previously disclosed. The Marines sustained smoke inhalation and possibly traumatic brain injuries, exhibiting concussion symptoms like headaches, according to US officials. The Pentagon's official count shows 444 US military personnel have been injured or killed since July 7, following the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury.

This includes 29 Navy sailors and eight Marines added last week to the tally of those injured. Hossein Mohebbi, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesperson, called US President Donald Trump a big liar on Tuesday, accusing him of concealing the truth about Iran's nuclear program and its control over Gulf energy supplies. Mohebbi stated the US knows Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and that their issue is Iran's vastness.

He also challenged US assertions that Iran has lost leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command rejected claims from a senior Iranian military commander that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps completely controls the strategic waterway. Kpler data indicates September saw a recovery of oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz, projected to reach almost 10 million barrels per day, about half the pre-war volume. The Navy did not answer questions about when and where the sailors were wounded, only stating casualties were fully validated.

What they agree on

Eight US Marines were injured in an Iranian cruise missile attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14.
The attack on the Marines was previously unreported by the Pentagon.
Iran has proposed a plan to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week.
Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased recently, reaching approximately 77 percent of pre-war levels.
Iranian officials claim Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, while US military officials reject these claims.

Where they split

Some outlets, like The Intercept and NBC News, provide details about the nature of the Marines' injuries, including potential brain trauma and smoke inhalation, while others, such as Tehran Times and i24NEWS, report the injuries without specific details.
Middle East Eye and Business Recorder focus on the increase in oil shipments and Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait, while other outlets like The Intercept and NBC News prioritize the previously unreported US Marine casualties.
Business Recorder and i24NEWS include statements from Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi, who called US President Donald Trump a "big liar" and challenged US assertions about the Strait of Hormuz.
The Intercept and Truthout provide broader context on US casualties in Iran since Operation Epic Fury, detailing overall injury and death counts, which is less prominent in other reports focusing solely on the Marine incident.