US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Renewed Hostilities
The US military has taken action against three Iranian oil tankers in response to missile attacks on American warships. The strikes occurred near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf and in the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement from the US Central Command. Two of the tankers were 'permanently disabled,' while the third was destroyed.
The military said that the tankers were part of a network helping to fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its proxies in the region. The head of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, stated that the US will 'not hesitate to defend American forces' and warned that it would 'if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.'
The incident marks a resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran following a month of relative calm. The two sides have been engaged in an on-again, off-again conflict since February 28, with both sides seeking to inflict military and economic pain.