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US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires

September 9, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

US Strikes Eight Iranian Oil Tankers, Allies Sanction Israeli Settlements, Smithsonian Chief Retires

The US has bombed five more Iranian oil tankers overnight, bringing the total to eight since Saturday, as Brent crude oil prices surged past $100 a barrel. Meanwhile, the UK, Canada, and France announced trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing angry retaliation from Israel. And the head of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie Bunch III, announced his retirement after 38 years, amid sustained criticism from the Trump administration.

Escalating US-Iran Naval Conflict

The latest US strikes targeted five Iranian crude oil tankers, with Central Command saying it gave crews aboard those ships notice to abandon them before bombing. These attacks were in response to Iranian missile strikes on a US Navy warship that were successfully evaded. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has retaliated by targeting US vessels and oil tankers, as well as ten ships attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz with US assistance, though there is no confirmation of what was hit. Iran also attacked US troops at an airbase, with no mention of injuries from those attacks.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (02:05) **U.S. Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers** - The U.S. bombs five more Iranian oil tankers overnight, bringing the total to eight since Saturday, in response to Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship.
  • 2 (04:08) **Uncertain U.S. Strategy in the Gulf** - The U.S. path forward is unclear, with Arab allies broadening defense ties elsewhere and the Pentagon lacking transparency on damage to bases.
  • 3 (05:55) **UK, Canada, France Sanction Israeli Settlements** - The UK bans imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with Canada and France following suit, as Israel reacts with anger and defiance.
  • 4 (08:22) **Limited Economic Impact of Sanctions on Israel** - The trade ban is largely symbolic, as agricultural exports to the UK are low, but could be damaging if the entire EU joins.
  • 5 (09:29) **Smithsonian Head Lonnie Bunch III to Retire** - The first African American and first historian to lead the institution announces his retirement at the end of the year, following criticism from the Trump administration.
  • 6 Standout Quotes
  • 7 (06:47) "I say to the Labour government and to every government in the world that thinks it can force Israel to act against our national and security interests. You have no chance of succeeding." - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, reacting to UK sanctions on settlements.

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Show Notes

The U.S. has destroyed eight Iranian oil tankers since Saturday, as Iran fires back at American forces and Gulf countries reconsider the risks of hosting U.S. bases.
Britain, Canada and France are moving to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Britain accusing settlers of ethnic cleansing and Israel responding with diplomatic retaliation.
And Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is retiring after nearly four decades at the institution, as the Trump administration continues criticizing the Smithsonian over exhibits it says are anti-white and too focused on negative parts of American history.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Clare Lombardo, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Robert Rodriguez.

Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers
(05:45) Israeli Settlements Sanctions
(09:20) Smithsonian Head Retires

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