US attacks two Iranian government-owned oil tankers

The United States has struck two Iranian government-owned oil tankers in a major escalation around the Strait of Hormuz. The operation marked the first time Washington targeted Iranian tankers in retaliation for attacks on shipping, rather than to enforce its maritime sanctions, Axios reported, citing US officials.

The tankers were anchored off Iran’s coast, north of the US maritime blockade line. US drones fired missiles that hit the engine rooms of both vessels, according to one official. The strikes formed part of a broader operation that hit about 100 targets, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air-defence sites, radar systems, mine-laying capabilities, communications facilities, anti-ship cruise missile launchers and attack-drone launchers.

The White House and US Central Command said the attacks responded to the IRGC’s latest attempted attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and to attacks on US bases in the region. Axios said President Donald Trump and senior officials were also considering a wider plan to prevent Iran from rebuilding the radar and missile capabilities needed to threaten shipping through the strategic waterway.

A US official said Iran might be unable to effectively threaten commercial vessels for at least a month after its capabilities were weakened. Despite the exchange of fire, US forces reportedly continued escorting ships through the waterway. About 40 vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the official.

Iran responded with about 25 ballistic missiles. US officials said only half entered Jordanian airspace, 10 were intercepted and three fell without causing casualties. Iran also launched more than 24 drones at a US base in Bahrain, most of which were intercepted, and fired missiles and drones at bases in Kuwait. Two drones targeting a US base in Erbil, Iraq, were intercepted.

Iranian media reported that a US strike hit a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak, killing at least four people and injuring about 50. The IRGC said four aerospace-force members died in a US strike in western Iran’s Kermanshah province, while three members of a paramilitary force were also reported killed.