US Military Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Escalating Conflict
The United States military has struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to missile attacks on U.S. Navy warships, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The strikes occurred after six months of on-again, off-again conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on February 28.
The U.S. military said the Iranian oil carriers were targeted because they are part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies in the region. The statement warned that if necessary, the U.S. would destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.
No U.S. personnel were hurt in the attacks, but two Iranian oil carriers were 'permanently disabled' while a third was destroyed. The strikes came nearly a week after the U.S. and Iran resumed attacks following a month of relative calm.