Iran Retaliates After US Strikes Oil Tankers

Iran says it attacked a US naval drone attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a cycle of strikes that began with American raids last week. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said its naval forces had also targeted three oil tankers in retaliation for US attacks on vessels linked to the Guards.

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attacked an American military unmanned surface vessel

The IRGC described the tankers as traveling on an unauthorized route through the strait and warned ships against using unapproved routes. It also said it had targeted three vessels affiliated with what it called “child-killing America” elsewhere. Iranian state television carried the Guard’s statement about the attack on the American unmanned surface vessel.

US Central Command said the previous day that it had struck tankers linked to the Iranian Guards after accusing the group of unsuccessfully firing at American warships. CENTCOM said American forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. It said they also destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman after directing its crew to abandon ship. Video released by CENTCOM showed fireballs and flames engulfing the vessels.

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If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.

The US command said the ships formed part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funded the IRGC and its regional proxies. Its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, said, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.” Iran’s foreign ministry called the US strikes illegal and aggressive. Iranian officials said crews were brought ashore in lifeboats and reported no casualties from the attack on Kharg Island. The IRGC claimed two US warships had retreated after suffering damage, while CENTCOM said they evaded the attacks successfully.

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illegal and aggressive actions