US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Conflict
The U.S. military has escalated its conflict with Iran by striking three Iranian oil tankers in response to what it claims were unprovoked attacks on American warships.
According to a statement from U.S. Central Command, the strikes targeted two Iranian oil carriers near Kharg Island and Jask, east of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as an unladen tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
The U.S. military claims that its aircraft carrier and destroyer evaded multiple Iranian missile attacks while patrolling the region, but were forced to defend themselves against the tankers, which it says are part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies.
Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, warned that the U.S. would 'if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet' in response to further attacks.