US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers After Missile Fire on Navy Warships
The US military responded to Iranian forces firing ballistic missiles at two of its warships by striking three crude oil tankers, disabling two and rendering a third inoperable. The incident occurred on Saturday while the vessels, an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer, were patrolling regional waters.
No Americans were injured in the missile fire, but the US military said it will not hesitate to defend its forces if necessary. 'Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours,' said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
The US Central Command alleged that the three tankers are part of a network that funnels billions of dollars to the Revolutionary Guard and its proxies. The military added that Iran has no capability to defend the tanker fleet.