US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Tit-For-Tat Response

The United States has struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Iran's firing of ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships. This action marks a continuation of the tit-for-tat warfare that began six months ago, with both sides trading attacks.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes 'permanently disabled' the M/T Downy and the M/T Stark 1, while also 'completely destroying' the M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman. The crew was warned to abandon ship before the vessel was destroyed.

The US had a new 'tanker-for-tanker' policy approved by President Trump, which aims to retaliate against Iranian oil tankers for any attacks on US ships. This policy comes after a U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer evaded missiles fired by Iran.