US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Ballistic Missile Attacks

The United States has struck three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on two U.S. Navy warships operating in the region.

According to U.S. Central Command, the strikes were carried out after multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks on the U.S. ships, with CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper warning that if Iran shot at American forces, Washington would impose an even higher economic cost - taking out three of theirs.

The tankers were struck near Kharg Island, a strategic island 15 miles off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf, which plays a central role in the country's oil industry and has repeatedly emerged as a flashpoint during the conflict.

Iranian state media reported that one of its tankers had been struck off the coast of Kharg Island, but Tehran did not immediately acknowledge attacks on U.S. ships.