US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation
The US military has reportedly taken retaliatory action against Iran in response to missile strikes on two US Navy ships. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, targeted three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, disabling two and destroying one. According to Adm. Brad Cooper, the US will impose an 'even higher economic cost' if Iran continues to target American vessels.
The clash is part of a six-month conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route for global oil and gas. The US Central Command described the three ships as part of a 'multibillion-dollar shadow network' that funds Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards and its armed proxies.
Iran's military warned of 'more severe' strikes on American vessels if harassment and a naval blockade continue. The conflict has significant implications for global oil markets, with the Strait of Hormuz responsible for about 20% of global oil exports.