US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Response to Attempted Attacks
The US military has launched strikes against three Iranian oil tankers in response to attempted attacks on Navy warships. The strikes were carried out by an American aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, which evaded multiple ballistic missiles without sustaining any damage or casualties.
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, stated that the US will not hesitate to defend its forces and will impose a higher economic cost on Iran if necessary. The strikes targeted the IRGC ships M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask, as well as the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman.
The US is also investigating claims that American forces killed several Iranian civilians in a strike on a wedding ceremony. The incident occurred in Kuhestak, in southern Iran's Sirik County, and Western media outlets have independently verified imagery from the scene.