US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Alleged Warship Attack

The US military has struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to what it says was an unprovoked attack on two Navy warships by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The strikes, which occurred on September 5, targeted vessels near Kharg Island and the Gulf of Oman. One tanker was hit multiple times in 'critical locations' and its crew had to abandon ship.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that a U.S. aircraft carrier and missile destroyer successfully evaded the Iranian missiles, but took action against three vessels as a warning to Iran's IRGC. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that 'if you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost - taking out three of yours.'

The US has accused Iran of using shadow fleets, which operate outside the official shipping system, to move oil under sanction. The country's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a 'clear violation of Paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter' and warned that Iranian forces would target American military in the region more severely if the US continues strikes against ships.