US Hits Three Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions

The US military struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, citing that Navy warships were targeted with missiles. The US said it would 'if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.' The strikes came after six months of on-again, off-again war between the two countries.

The US aircraft carrier and destroyer evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks while patrolling in the region, with no US personnel hurt. Two Iranian oil carriers were 'permanently disabled' and the third, unladen one, was destroyed. The US said the tankers were part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies.

The US statement included video footage of the strikes. Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said 'We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.' The resumption of fighting came after new US efforts to apply economic pressures on Tehran.