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U.S. Strikes Three Iranian ‘Shadow Network’ Oil Tankers, Military Says
Confirmed
In Short: The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes came after Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S.
The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The strikes came after Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships in the region, the military said.
What's confirmed
- The military's statement released on Saturday, local time, said a US aircraft carrier and a destroyer evaded "multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks" while patrolling in the region and no US personnel were hurt.
- The US statement said the tankers were part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies in the region.
- "The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them," CENTCOM said in a statement.
- Iranian-backed Houthi rebels said government forces in western and southwestern Yemen killed at least three people.
- The attacks Friday in Hodeida and Taiz provinces came as Yemen’s military said it launched more than 15 airstrikes on the Houthis.
- Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes killed three people and wounded nearly two dozen in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.
- A spokesperson with Iran’s joint military command later warned that strikes against U.S. military ships would be more severe, if the U.S. continues to interfere with Iranian shipping, the state broadcaster reported.
- The navy of Iran's IRGC said it had targeted three oil tankers that were travelling through unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three additional US vessels in other areas, according to a statement.
What's still developing
- Central Command told Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: ‘If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost’ Central Command told Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: ‘If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost’ The U.S. military says it struck three Iranian oil tankers Saturday, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran's key oil export hub.
- CENTCOM said the vessels were part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.
- The US military said Iran had no effective means to defend the tankers during the operation.
- The US said the vessels were part of a shadow network that helped finance Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards and armed proxy groups operating across the region.
- One of the strikes hit a wedding in southern Iran on Tuesday, killing four people, including a child, and injuring dozens, according to Iranian officials.
- President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
- Trump also said he can "understand" Vance's assessment and claimed there is "no fighting" at the moment, despite the recent resumption of military strikes on both sides.
- US military crew can be heard over radio warning an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, before unleashing a barrage of missiles that lit the vessel in flames.