US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attacks

US warships in the Middle East were targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles over the weekend, prompting a retaliatory strike against three Iranian oil tankers. According to multiple reports, including those from AP and NBC News, the strikes occurred on Saturday, with President Donald Trump describing the conflict as 'small potatoes.'

The US Central Command released a video showing one of the tankers, the M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, sinking in the Gulf of Oman after a US military strike. CENTCOM stated that 'Thanks to the precision and professionalism of American service members' the tanker sank and 'joined Iran's navy at the bottom of the sea.'

Tehran condemned the US strikes on its commercial vessels as 'illegal and irresponsible,' accusing Washington of military aggression, naval blockade, and economic warfare. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the attacks 'illegal and aggressive' and warned that Washington and its allies would bear responsibility for the consequences of any continued attacks.

The conflict marks a new round in a six-month cycle of retaliatory attacks between the US and Iran, which began with US and Israeli strikes on the country on February 28. Both sides have sought to inflict both military and economic pain, with negotiations having collapsed.