US hits three Iranian oil tankers after saying its warships were targeted
The US military has destroyed three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks on two American warships. The strikes were framed by US Central Command as a defensive measure to impose economic costs on the IRGC following renewed regional hostilities.
Why it matters
This escalation marks a significant intensification of the ongoing US-Iran conflict, threatening global oil supply chains and regional stability.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Oil tankers have struggled to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the war (file photo)
The US military says it has hit three Iran-linked oil tankers after ballistic missiles were launched towards two of its warships in the region.
US Central Command (Centcom) said on Saturday it had "permanently disabled" a tanker near Kharg Island and another near the Strait of Hormuz, and "completely destroyed" a third in the Gulf of Oman.
Centcom said it "successfully evaded" multiple attacks from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeting a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer. No American troops were harmed, it said in a statement.
Iranian state media earlier reported that one of its oil tankers had been struck by US missiles off the coast of Kharg Island.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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