US forces have attacked three Iranian crude oil tankers, with Washington describing the operation as retaliation for alleged Iranian missile attacks targeting American naval vessels.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the strikes on Saturday, claiming Iran had carried out several unsuccessful and “unprovoked attacks” against a US aircraft carrier and destroyer.
The operation marks another sharp escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran following several days of intensive exchanges. The US resumed strikes against Iran on Tuesday, saying it was responding to Iranian attempts to attack commercial shipping and American forces in the region. Tehran subsequently launched missiles and drones against US facilities across the Gulf.
CENTCOM claimed the targeted tankers were connected to a multibillion-dollar oil network used to finance Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the US military, two loaded tankers were struck near strategically important Iranian oil-export areas. CENTCOM said the vessels were rendered permanently inoperable after their engine compartments were hit.
A third, empty tanker in the Gulf of Oman was completely destroyed after sustaining several strikes and subsequently exploding, according to CENTCOM. The command said its crew had been instructed to abandon the vessel beforehand.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper portrayed the operation as a direct response to Iranian actions against American warships.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost – taking out three of yours,” Cooper said, directing the warning at the IRGC.
Iran responded by threatening stronger attacks against US naval forces if Washington continues targeting Iranian shipping or enforcing a blockade against the country’s ports.
Shortly afterwards, the IRGC announced retaliatory action of its own, claiming it had attacked three oil tankers it described as “trespassing,” along with three additional US-linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has previously warned that attacks against critical Iranian oil infrastructure, particularly facilities around Kharg Island, could trigger strikes against energy infrastructure belonging to US allies across the Gulf.
The attacks on the tankers further raise the stakes in the rapidly expanding confrontation, with commercial shipping and critical energy infrastructure increasingly becoming direct targets.
Iran targets 3 oil tankers on an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz and 3 US-affiliated vessels in response to the US attack on Iranian oil tankers.
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