US Hits Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliatory Strikes

The US military has struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to an attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two US Navy warships. The strikes were carried out after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles at the US ships, with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, warning that 'if you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.'

The US military said no US personnel were hurt in the attack, but two Iranian oil carriers were 'permanently disabled' and a third unladen tanker was destroyed. The tankers were part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's IRGC.

The exchange of attacks follows an escalation in tensions between the US and Iran since the US launched strikes on Iran in February, disrupting global energy supplies and drawing opposition from a majority of Americans before congressional elections in November.