US bombs three Iranian tankers as Tehran expands attacks

The United States has bombed three Iranian tankers after Tehran took a step that it had avoided throughout the war: targeting an American aircraft carrier with ballistic missiles.

The strikes came after Donald Trump issued a new “tanker for tanker” doctrine, making oil carriers an apparent primary target of US attacks. US Central Command said two of the ships were “permanently disabled” and another was “completely destroyed.” One tanker sank after the attacks, according to Centcom.

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The Americans must understand that the time for proportionate responses is over.

Iran also targeted a destroyer. Centcom said all the US ships under attack managed to evade the strikes without damage. But the decision to fire on an aircraft carrier has raised the prospect of a broader Iranian offensive. Without the carrier, the United States would have difficulty continuing its operations in the Persian Gulf.

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The rules of the game have changed. From now on, attacks on Iran’s interests will bring faster, harsher and more painful retaliation.

Iranian military officials said attacks on American warships would expand if Washington continued attacking tankers and did not ease its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf said, “The Americans must understand that the time for proportionate responses is over.” He added, “The rules of the game have changed. From now on, attacks on Iran’s interests will bring faster, harsher and more painful retaliation.”

The United States showed no sign of backing down. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the American regional command for the Middle East, said, “The message to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards is clear: If you fire on two of our ships, we will impose even higher economic costs on you by taking out three of your ships.” While Tehran escalates near its own shores, the article says it has held back from aiding Hezbollah as Israel continues advancing in southern Lebanon.

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The message to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards is clear: If you fire on two of our ships, we will impose even higher economic costs on you by taking out three of your ships.