US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers as Conflict Escalates
The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has escalated after Washington targeted three Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks on American ships. The US military claimed that two of the oil tankers were 'permanently neutralized' and a third was 'completely destroyed'.
The targets were located in separate locations: one off Kharg Island, home to Iran's main oil terminal; a second near the Strait of Hormuz close to Jask; and a third in the Gulf of Oman. The US military stated that an aircraft carrier and a destroyer had previously 'escaped multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks' with no US service members injured.
The Iranian response was swift, with the Revolutionary Guard claiming to have targeted 'three oil tankers using the unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three US-affiliated vessels in other areas.' They warned all ships against attempting to transit through 'unauthorized waterways.'