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Iranian media say an "unidentified projectile"; the New York Times says Iran's own hard-liners

A ship was hit in the Strait of Hormuz early on 13 September and one person died. Of the seven reports we hold that carry the strike, one names who fired — on unnamed sources.

Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say
Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say as published by MSNBC · seen at MSNBC
United States Iran United States

One ship, one death, no attacker. A vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz early on 13 September. Seven of the eight reports we hold carry the strike. One of them names who fired.

Outlet What hit the ship Sourced to Death
The Hill an "unidentified projectile" the governor of Qeshm, via IRNA one killed
MS NOW a strike on an Iranian ship "Iranian media say" one killed
CNBC a vessel struck UKMTO not carried
The New York Times a ship "was targeted" officials not carried
The New York Times "a clandestine effort" by Iran's hard-liners "regime insiders" not carried
Reuters an attack on Hormuz shipping headline only — we could not read the text not carried

Two reports carry the death, and neither names the person killed. Both put the number at one, and both trace back to the same Iranian account — one source counted twice, not two.

The two Reuters lines are one line twice, English and Portuguese. Counting both would inflate the coverage.

Not settled. Who fired, and what. The ship's name. The dead crew member's name, nationality or job. Whether the container vessel the governor of Qeshm describes near Hengam Island is the vessel UKMTO reported. The New York Times account of hard-liners wrecking the deal rests on unnamed insiders: no report we hold corroborates it, and none contradicts it.

What this is about: a war between the United States and Iran, now fought partly at sea in the narrow channel most Gulf oil passes through.

How it got here

  • 1979: a revolution makes Iran an Islamic Republic. It has been at odds with Washington ever since.
  • 2015: Iran signs a nuclear deal with the US and other powers. It limits Iran's nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions.
  • 2018: in his first term, Donald Trump takes the US out of that deal and brings sanctions back.
  • June 2025: Israel and Iran fight an open war, and US aircraft strike Iranian nuclear sites.
  • 2026: open conflict between the US and Iran. On 12 September The Hill described "six months of military exchanges". Our earlier coverage followed an aircraft strike in Jordan and a diesel price record tied to the war.

The place. The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the open sea. Iran lies on its north shore and Oman on its south. Qeshm and Hengam, named in today's reports, are Iranian islands in the strait. Tankers from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Iraq and Iran all pass through it.

The actors

  • Iran: a Supreme Leader holds final power and an elected president runs the government. The New York Times, citing unnamed insiders, reports a split between the president and hard-liners over a deal with Trump. That account is not confirmed.
  • The United States: at war with Iran. Talks with Tehran hit "a dead end weeks ago", The New York Times reports.
  • Gulf Arab states: they have ships and oil at stake and ties with both sides. Oman has long been a go-between.
  • UKMTO: a British naval office that logs attacks on merchant ships.

What is at stake. If the strait stays unsafe, oil stays short. Reuters headlines tie the attacks to "fears of threats to oil supplies". If Iran and its neighbours agree terms for the strait, some of that shipping may be protected.

Where it stands. CNBC reports that Iranian and Gulf officials were expected in Oman to sign an agreement on shipping. MS NOW reports those talks were postponed after the strike. We do not know a new date.

The story so far

Earlier stories The AI Times filed on this thread.

What is being argued about

  • Who struck a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 13 September, and whether any report names an attacker
  • One death, carried by two reports and traced to a single Iranian account
  • The New York Times claim that Iranian hard-liners attacked shipping to wreck the deal with Trump
  • Whether the strike is measured by the person killed or by oil supply
Four words for one strikeSide by side
OutletWhat hit the shipSourced toCarries the death
The Hillan "unidentified projectile"Hossein Amir Teymoori, governor of Qeshm, via IRNAyes — one
MS NOWa strike on an Iranian ship"Iranian media say"yes — one
CNBCa vessel struckUKMTOno
The New York Timesa ship "was targeted"officialsno
The New York Times"a clandestine effort to attack ships" by opponents of the deal"regime insiders"no
Reutersan attack on Hormuz shippingheadline only — we could not read the textno
What each report we hold says hit the vessel, who it credits, and whether it carries the death. Quotes are from the published text.
Sources The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Ataques em Ormuz e na Arábia Saudita soam alerta; expansão da guerra afeta abastecimento de petróleo · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Who is named as having firedChart
Counted across the seven reports we hold that carry the strike. The eighth, filed the day before, does not.
Sources MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Ataques em Ormuz e na Arábia Saudita soam alerta; expansão da guerra afeta abastecimento de petróleo · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Sunday, as it was publishedTimeline
  1. 2026-09-1219:00 The Hill The Hill Writes that the conflict runs on "unverified claims of success and ambiguous thresholds for escalation".Filed a day before the strike.
  2. 2026-09-13— no time published unnamed A vessel is struck in the Strait of Hormuz, "early Sunday". 1 killed, Iranian state media sayNo report we hold gives a clock time.
  3. 2026-09-1302:23 Reuters Reuters Reports an attack on Hormuz shipping and measures it in oil supply.Headline only — we could not read the text.
  4. 2026-09-1309:02 The New York Times The New York Times Says opponents of the deal with Trump inside Iran ran "a clandestine effort to attack ships", on "regime insiders".The only report that names an attacker.
  5. 2026-09-1311:52 The New York Times The New York Times Reports Iran will meet Gulf states; "a ship was targeted", with no actor named, and Yemen named as acting against Saudi Arabia.
  6. 2026-09-1312:09 The Hill The Hill Names the governor of Qeshm and IRNA, an "unidentified projectile" near Hengam Island, one killed. 1 killed
  7. 2026-09-1313:38 CNBC CNBC Sources the strike to UKMTO, ahead of an Iran–Gulf meeting in Oman to sign a shipping agreement.No ship, no nationality, no death.
  8. 2026-09-1314:27 MS NOW MS NOW Puts the death in the headline and attributes it to Iranian media. 1 killed
  9. 2026-09-1316:13 Reuters Reuters The same Reuters line again, in Portuguese.One report, not two.
Publication times as printed by each outlet, in UTC. No outlet we hold gives a time for the strike itself.
Sources The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iran’s war didn’t end. It changed units. Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Ataques em Ormuz e na Arábia Saudita soam alerta; expansão da guerra afeta abastecimento de petróleo · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias

One dead, counted twice, named nowhere

Two of the eight reports carry the death; both give it as a number. No report names the person killed or says what they did on the ship. Four measure the strike by oil supply, shipping or diplomacy instead.

8 reports we hold on the strike 2 reports that carry the death 0 reports that name the dead 3 reports measuring it by oil or markets

Seven ways to write a sentence with no attacker

One report names who it says attacked, and does it on unnamed insiders inside Iran's own government. Every other report writes the strike with no actor: a projectile that is unidentified, a ship that was targeted, a vessel that was struck. One report says outright that claims in this conflict go unverified.

1 reports naming who attacked 7 reports with no attacker named 2 reports attributing the strike to Iranian state media
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Ataques em Ormuz e na Arábia Saudita soam alerta; expansão da guerra afeta abastecimento de petróleo · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iran’s war didn’t end. It changed units. Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Claims and verdicts

true A vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz early on 13 September.
CNBC carries the strike from UKMTO, while The Hill and MSNBC carry it from Iranian state media — two independent accounts. No report we hold contradicts it.
Checked against 3 sources:
CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified The strike hit an Iranian commercial container ship near Hengam Island and killed one person.
The Hill attributes the vessel type, the location and the one death to the governor of Qeshm via IRNA, and MSNBC attributes the same death toll to Iranian media — the same single account twice. CNBC and The New York Times report a vessel struck without naming a ship or a casualty figure.
Checked against 4 sources:
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified Iranian hard-liners opposed to the deal with Trump organised the attacks on shipping in the strait.
Only The New York Times reports this, and it attributes the account to unnamed regime insiders; every other report we hold says the projectile was unidentified or names nobody. No report contradicts it either.
Checked against 3 sources:
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Who wrote it

A Azhar Sukri CNBC
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Juxtaposition The Riyadh fire is placed beside a Pakistan–Iran exchange on energy, which puts Iran in the frame without saying Iran was involved×1
Juxtaposition Places Iran next to the Riyadh fire without saying the two are linked×1
No actor named Smoke and flames with no source or actor named×1
No actor named Passive voice, with no one named as acting×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
7 unverified3 true
From 16 reports we hold under this byline, at CNBC. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
M Max Rego The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out×1
Asymmetric labelling the Democratic leader is given his state without a party letter, where the same-shaped report on the Speaker gives party and state×1
Attributed prediction The six-month exit is Kennedy's prediction and is attributed to him×1
Cost acknowledged the costs are stated as prices, not as lives×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 misleading3 disputed5 unverified8 true
From 229 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
A Aaron Boxerman The New York Times
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack×1
Attribution inside the sentence the accusation is placed in Britain's mouth, not the report's×1
How the attacking party is named named with its sponsor attached rather than on its own×1
Label asserted, not attributed the attacking force is defined by its sponsor in the first clause, with no source×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 disputed5 unverified2 true
From 38 reports we hold under this byline, at The New York Times. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
F Farnaz Fassihi The New York Times
What the bias passes found in their reporting
What is left out the wars are a category; no war, country or party to one is named in the report×1
What is selected a summary of the same address in which Gaza does not appear at all×1
Who is named as acting the only report that names an attacker, and it names Iranian hard-liners on unnamed insiders×1
Who is named as acting the only report that names an attacker names Iranian hard-liners, on unnamed sources×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 unverified
From 19 reports we hold under this byline, at The New York Times. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
C Charbel A. Antoun The Hill
No independent reading has coded a report under this byline yet. We do not infer a journalist's views from the outlet that employs them.
From 3 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting. · 3 reports we hold carry no byline — we do not invent one.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Ataques em Ormuz e na Arábia Saudita soam alerta; expansão da guerra afeta abastecimento de petróleo · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The same Reuters line again, in Portuguese — one report, not two, and the reason a count of outlets is not a count of reporting.
Read it at Reuters → https://www.reuters.com/pt/negocio/6WFZBP52LZMSHP7KA5PLQWL324-2026-09-1…
MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
MS NOW is the only report to put the death in its headline — and it hands the whole claim to one side's press: "kills 1, Iranian media say".
CAIRO (AP) — An Iranian cargo vessel was struck early Sunday off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said, a day before Tehran plans to brief countries in the region on its contested efforts to manage shipping traffic there. The attack, which the reports said killed one and wounded four, drew attention back to the strait after threats to shipping in the region intensified last week when Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured an island on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the Qeshm governor as blaming a “terrorist enemy” for Sund
Who is named as acting: no actor named; the strike acts on its own and the death is attributed to Iranian media in the same line — “Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say”
Who is named as acting: headline names a strike and a death but no attacker, and hands the whole claim to one side's press — “Strike on Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz kills 1, Iranian media say”
Read it at MSNBC → https://www.ms.now/news/iran-strait-of-hormuz-strike-war
CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
CNBC is the only report that sources the strike to UKMTO rather than to Iran, and the only one that places it just before Iranian and Gulf officials meet in Oman to sign an agreement on shipping through the strait.
The latest strike happened ahead of an expected meeting between Iranian and Gulf officials in Oman to sign an agreement for shipping through the strait.
Whose account is the default: sources the strike to a Western maritime body rather than to Iran, and pivots to diplomacy in the same headline — “Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive”
Whose voice is quoted: takes a shipping-authority notice as the source and drops both the ship's nationality and the death — “Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive”
Read it at CNBC → https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/13/vessel-struck-strait-of-hormuz-ukmto.ht…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iranian ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian state media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The Hill is the only report that names a source by name — Hossein Amir Teymoori, the governor of Qeshm, via IRNA — and the only one that describes the weapon at all, as an "unidentified projectile".
An Iranian cargo ship was struck early Sunday, Iranian state media reported, as the U.S.-Iran conflict marches on. Hossein Amir Teymoori, the governor of Qeshm, said an Iranian commercial container vessel was hit by an “unidentified projectile” near Hengam Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the IRNA News Agency. The strike killed one…
Hedging and attribution: the weapon is left unidentified inside quote marks and routed through a named Iranian official and a state agency — “an Iranian commercial container vessel was hit by an “unidentified projectile” near Hengam Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the IRNA News Agency”
How hard the claim is stated: the weapon is put in quotation marks and sourced twice — to a named provincial governor and to a state agency — “was hit by an “unidentified projectile” near Hengam Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the IRNA News Agency”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/policy/international/6086615-iranian-cargo-ship-str…
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Iran Will Meet With Gulf Arab States as Mideast Conflict Widens Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The New York Times writes the ship as "targeted" with nobody targeting it, one clause before it names Iran's allies in Yemen as having launched an attack on Saudi Arabia.
Talks are expected tomorrow, officials said. Diplomacy to end the war with the United States has stalled and Iranian-allied forces have advanced in Yemen.
Who is named as acting: passive for the ship with no attacker, active and attributed for Yemen; the death is absent — “a ship was targeted in the Strait of Hormuz”
Active and passive voice: the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack — “as a ship was targeted in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian allies in Yemen said they had launched a new attack on Saudi Arabia”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/world/middleeast/iran-meeting-gulf-a…
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The New York Times is the only report that names an attacker: opponents of the deal inside Iran's own government, on "regime insiders", with Iran's president "furious when he found out".
Opponents derailed the agreement with a clandestine effort to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, regime insiders say. Iran’s president was furious when he found out.
Who is named as acting: the only report that names an attacker, and it names Iranian hard-liners on unnamed insiders — “Opponents derailed the agreement with a clandestine effort to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, regime insiders say.”
Who is named as acting: the only report that names an attacker names Iranian hard-liners, on unnamed sources — “Opponents derailed the agreement with a clandestine effort to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, regime insiders say.”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/world/middleeast/iran-hard-liners-sa…
Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Reuters is the only report that measures the strike in oil supply — a frame in which the dead crew member does not appear.
Which measure was chosen: the effect measured is oil supply, not the person killed — “New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies”
Which measure was chosen: the event is measured in oil supply and market nerves; the dead crewman does not appear — “New attacks in Hormuz and Saudi test nerves as war's spread worsens oil disruption”
Read it at Reuters → https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/new-report-attack-strait-hormuz…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Iran’s war didn’t end. It changed units. Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The Hill, filed the day before the strike, says what the rest of the coverage then demonstrates: the conflict runs on "unverified claims of success and ambiguous thresholds for escalation".
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran remains characterized by unverified claims of success and ambiguous thresholds for escalation despite six months of military exchanges and economic volatility.
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/opinion/international/6085199-us-iran-escalation-rh…
Checked, didn’t cover
Mother Jones
Left estimate · not a score
Mother Jones 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed 'ultra-gerrymandered' stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Cover-up' is asserted in the report's own voice, not attributed ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it a cover-up in its own voice ×1Assertion vs attribution describes the operation as a 'violent occupation' in its own voice, with no source for the phrase ×1 from 361 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1144 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → P Politico
Centre estimate · not a score
Politico 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Fox News
Right estimate · not a score
Fox News 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accused named Names one former fraternity member through his lawyer's denial. The woman is anonymous by her own choice. ×1Actor in headline The headline names Trump as the one acting. The body names only Anduril. ×1A number, with no people named The only report that gives a figure counts the journalists whose communications were swept up. It names none of them. ×1Asserted, not attributed stated flat: past court defeats are asserted with no case, judge or date named ×1 from 6432 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Breitbart
Right estimate · not a score
Breitbart 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Anyone hurt is counted, not named eight deaths given as a number only ×1Framing of motive The lede calls the denial a punishment and puts 'fake news' in quotation marks; the officials being sued are left unnamed ×1How the person shot is named a status, not a name: the only report that never uses either name calls him an illegal alien ×1How the place is described a party label attached to the city in the same clause as the casualty count ×1 from 3584 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → National Review
Centre-right estimate · not a score
National Review 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted not attributed Doubt about the allegation is stated flat, in the outlet's own voice ×1Asserted not attributed An argument about deterrence is stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it an abuse of power in its own voice ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Abuse of presidential power' is stated flat ×1 from 414 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Silence is recorded, not inferred — each of these was read when we built this story and carried nothing on this event.
We could not read these
The Wall Street Journal
Centre-right estimate · not a score
The Wall Street Journal 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Associated Press
Centre estimate · not a score
Associated Press 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Dating and attribution Dates the signing to Aug. 6, 2026 and writes ord ×1Dating and attribution Carries a dateline correction, repeated three ti ×1How hard the claim is stated Marks "birth tourism" as the administration's ow ×1How hard the claim is stated high ×1 from 223 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
These are must-cite outlets for this desk that we did not manage to read when we built this story. That is a gap in our reach, not a silence on their part, and it is not evidence of anything about this story.

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