US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
The US military has launched a strike on three Iranian oil tankers, including one off the coast of Kharg Island near Iran's key oil export hub. The strikes were in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships, which Central Command said evaded multiple unprovoked attacks without any US personnel being hurt.
According to Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, 'If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.'
The US statement said the tankers were part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's IRGC. One oil tanker was off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran's key oil export hub, and Tasnim reported that four US missiles hit it in the area of Kharg's anchorage.