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US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Response to Missile Attacks
Confirmed
In Short: The US military permanently disabled three Iran-linked oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, while Iran retaliated by targeting six ships in the region, escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military carried out strikes on three Iran-linked oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, according to US Central Command (Centcom), in response to Iranian missile attacks on a US aircraft carrier and destroyer earlier in the day.
Iran's state media confirmed the strikes and reported that Tehran had also attacked three US-affiliated vessels and three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of using unauthorized routes.
The attacks on the tankers come amid ongoing concerns about global energy supplies, with Iran effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks that began on February 28.
Iranian lawmakers and officials argue that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports should never have existed, framing the attacks as part of an existential war with America.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Since March, when Hezbollah attacked Israel during the US-Israel war on Iran, Israel has carried out air strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion.
- The number of attacks has decreased since a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding on the broader conflict in June, while Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement later that month.
- On Friday, Israeli strikes in the country’s south and east killed four people, including an 18-year-old woman, authorities said, as Israel said it struck Hezbollah targets in response to a drone launch towards its soldiers.
- Israeli air attacks have killed at least four people and wounded 20 others in southern Lebanon in the latest Israeli escalation despite a truce.
- Israel says it carried out the strikes in response to Hezbollah launching two drones towards its forces in southern Lebanon, describing the attack as a “blatant violation” by the Lebanese armed group.
- The US military said it had "permanently disabled" two Iran-linked oil tankers, including one near Kharg Island, and "completely destroyed" a third in the Gulf of Oman.
- Centcom said it "successfully evaded" the multiple attacks from the IRGC earlier in the day, which were targeting a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer.
- Iranian state media outlet Irib reported that there were no casualties in Saturday's attack from the US on the tanker near Kharg Island.