US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions in Gulf of Oman

The US military launched airstrikes against three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, following a week of escalating tensions between the two nations. According to CENTCOM, the US successfully evaded multiple attacks from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) earlier in the day, targeting a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer.

No American troops were harmed in the attacks, but the IRGC fired ballistic missiles at two US warships, prompting the US to retaliate against the Iranian oil tankers. CENTCOM reported that it had permanently disabled two of the tankers and completely destroyed a third.

The Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial to the world's oil and gas industry, has been effectively closed since the war began in February. Iran's state media confirmed the strikes, saying Tehran had attacked three US-affiliated vessels in response, as well as three oil tankers travelling through the Strait on an 'unauthorised' route.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tweeted that if Iran shoots at US ships, it will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. The conflict has led to a 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran expiring last month, with little sign of a further diplomatic settlement on the horizon.