US and Iranian forces launch strikes on vessels in Tehran’s waters
US and Iranian forces engaged in a series of maritime strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US targeting three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on US navy ships. The escalation follows months of heightened tensions and disrupted global energy supplies.
Why it matters
This direct military confrontation threatens to destabilize global oil markets and significantly escalate the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.
US and Iranian forces fired at vessels in waters around Iran on Saturday, including three Iranian oil carriers struck by the Americans and three tankers that Iran said it targeted while on unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz .
US Central Command said it struck the three Iranian vessels, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran’s oil export hub, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US navy ships.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost – taking out three of yours,” said Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, which oversees the US military in the Middle East.
Also covering this story
21 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
U.S. military says it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers
US, Iranian forces fire at vessels in waters near Iran
Iranian foreign ministry condemns US strikes on oil tankers
US military hits Iranian oil tankers, saying Navy warships were targeted with missiles
Iran targets US ships, oil tankers in retaliation for US strikes, IRGC claims
US Strikes 3 Iranian Oil Tankers After Tehran Targeted Its Navy Warships
US military hits 3 Iranian oil tankers after saying Navy warships were targeted
US military strikes oil tankers as Iran vows tougher reprisals
US CENTCOM says it struck three Iran oil tankers after IRGC attacks on Navy ships
US hits Iranian tankers after Navy ships targeted
Watch: US strikes 3 Iranian oil tankers after Iran targets 2 navy warships
US hits three Iranian oil tankers after saying its warships were targeted
US hits three Iranian oil tankers after saying its warships were targeted
Pete Hegseth warns Iran, says US will sink oil tankers if Navy is attacked
Middle-East Conflict: US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers As Iran Targets American Warships
U.S. attacks 3 Iranian oil tankers after missiles target Navy warships
US hits Iranian oil tankers, and other key Mideast developments
Iran: US hits 3 IRGC-linked oil tankers
Iran targets Navy warships and US retaliates with 'higher economic cost' in new escalation phase
US forces target 3 Iranian oil tankers in response to IRGC missile attack
US military says it struck three Iranian tankers after American warships came under missile attack
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in