The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer. The Navy warships evaded the unprovoked attacks, and no U.S. personnel were injured. Of the three targeted tankers, two were permanently disabled and one unladen vessel was destroyed.
U.S. Central Command stated the tankers were part of a shadow network used to fund the Revolutionary Guard and its proxies. The strikes occurred near Jask, in the Gulf of Oman, and off the coast of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. The military warned that it would, if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet to impose a higher economic cost.
Iran responded by targeting an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, along with six other ships and three oil tankers using unauthorized routes. Iranian officials warned of a painful response to further attacks, with Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declaring that the era of proportionate responses is over.
This exchange follows a period of escalation as both sides seek to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. While President Donald Trump recently described the conflict as small potatoes, Iranian sources noted that the U.S. campaign to blockade oil exports and stop sanctions evasion is becoming increasingly difficult to withstand. Tehran has stated it will step up efforts to tackle the economic problems created by these sanctions.