US and Iran Trade Retaliatory Attacks in Escalating Conflict

The conflict between the US and Iran has escalated further as both countries traded retaliatory attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman. The US military said it had 'permanently disabled' two Iran-linked oil tankers, including one near Kharg Island, and 'completely destroyed' a third.

Iran's state media confirmed the strikes and said Tehran had attacked three US-affiliated vessels in response, as well as three oil tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz along an 'unauthorised' route.

The BBC has approached US Central Command (Centcom) for comment about Iran's latest claims to have targeted US ships.