U.S. Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Response to Tehran’s Attacks on Navy Ships - WSJ

The United States military conducted strikes against three Iranian oil tankers following an incident in which missiles were launched toward two U.S. Navy warships. U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation on Saturday, stating that the action was taken in response to the attempted targeting of American naval vessels.

According to the military, the strikes successfully disabled an oil carrier located off the coast of Kharg Island, which serves as Iran’s primary oil terminal. A second tanker was disabled off the coast of Jask, while a third vessel was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, characterized the strikes as a direct response to the actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He stated that the intent of the operation was to impose an economic cost on Iran, noting that the military would not hesitate to defend American forces or target the country’s oil fleet if necessary.

The military official emphasized that the retaliation was intended to send a clear message regarding the security of U.S. assets in the region. The strikes represent a significant escalation in tensions, specifically targeting infrastructure linked to Iran's maritime oil operations.