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US launches ‘tanker for tanker’ policy with strikes on Iranian ships in Strait of Hormuz

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The US military struck two Iranian Revolutionary Guard tankers near the Strait of Hormuz in the first direct retaliatory attack on Iranian ships since the war began, according to Axios, citing US officials.
  • US officials said about 100 targets, including radar, air-defense, mine-laying and missile sites, were hit as part of a policy approved by President Donald Trump to deter attacks on commercial shipping and US forces.
  • Iran responded with attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, while US and Bahraini authorities issued security warnings.

The United States has moved from stopping Iranian ships at a naval blockade to striking them directly. US forces hit two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tankers on Tuesday, Axios reported, in the first such retaliatory attack since the war began.

mow the lawn

— A US officialThe official described the strategy for reducing the risk of Iranian attacks on tankers and US military assets.

The operation followed a new policy approved by President Donald Trump. Called “tanker for tanker,” it aims to deter further Iranian attacks on vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The tankers stood off Iran’s coast, north of the US blockade line, when American drones fired missiles into their engine rooms, according to the report.

The White House and US Central Command said the strikes responded to recent Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the strait and American bases in the region. Axios also reported that the operation formed part of a broader effort to stop Tehran from rebuilding the radar and missile capabilities it has used against shipping.

bought at least a month

— A US officialThe official assessed how long the strikes could lower the threat to commercial tankers.

A US official described the strategy as an effort to “mow the lawn” and reduce the risk to oil tankers and US military assets. About 100 Iranian targets were struck, officials said, including IRGC air-defense positions, radar systems, mine-laying capabilities, communications sites, anti-ship cruise missile launchers and attack-drone launchers. The strikes reportedly reduced Iran’s capabilities around Hormuz and “bought at least a month” of lower threat levels for commercial tankers.

almost total control of the Hormuz Strait

— Donald TrumpTrump described the US position after the strikes in a Truth Social post.

Iran responded with attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq. The US embassy in Jerusalem warned American citizens across the Middle East about rising tensions, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry alerted the public to “potential threats in the country.” Trump said he had “almost total control of the Hormuz Strait” and described Iran’s economy as “totally collapsing.”

totally collapsing

— Donald TrumpTrump characterized Iran’s economy in the same post.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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