US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Ballistic Missile Attacks

The US military has struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to ballistic missile attacks on Navy warships. According to CENTCOM, the US forces permanently disabled two of the tankers and completely destroyed a third after directing their crews to abandon ship before the strike.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, stated that 'if you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.' This exchange follows a new round of retaliatory attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC fired ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer, accusing them of interfering with Iranian vessels and participating in a maritime blockade. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the US strikes as 'illegal and aggressive,' accusing Washington of waging a naval blockade and economic war against Iran.