US Military Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Escalating Gulf Conflict

The US military has taken aggressive action against Iran's oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf. According to the US Central Command, three Iranian oil tankers were struck by US warships after they were targeted with missiles. The attacks came nearly a week after tensions between the two countries escalated following a month of relative calm.

The US military claimed that the tankers were part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies in the region. Two Iranian oil carriers were 'permanently disabled' as a result of the strikes, while the third, unladen tanker was destroyed. The US released video footage of the strikes.

No US personnel were hurt during the attacks, according to the military's statement. The head of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, warned that the US would 'if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.' This comes as both sides have sought to inflict both military and economic pain on each other.