US Destroys Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Escalating Conflict

The United States military said it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers in response to an attempted missile attack on American warships, according to the US Central Command (Centcom). The US claimed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on their warships, which led to the destruction of the oil tankers.

The targeted vessels were said to be part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Centcom commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated, 'If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost -- taking out three of yours.'

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed they targeted US-linked ships in response to the American attacks. The IRGC warned other ships not to attempt to transit through unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Trump administration has been seeking to downplay the significance of the six-month conflict, which has proven increasingly unpopular at home as midterm elections near. US Vice President JD Vance described the Iran war as 'small potatoes' for Washington.