Iran Targets 3 Oil Tankers and 3 US Ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Al-Taj News – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Saturday that it had targeted three oil tankers traveling along what it described as an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to three US ships, in response to the United States targeting three Iranian tankers.

The IRGC Navy said the attacks came in response to the US strikes, warning ships using unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz that they would be subject to targeting.

The escalation comes after the US Central Command, “CENTCOM,” announced that it had targeted three oil tankers linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, following what it said was the launch of Iranian ballistic missiles toward two US warships.

“CENTCOM” said US forces disabled the oil tankers “Dawny” off the coast of Khark Island and “Stark 1” near Jask, while destroying the empty oil tanker “Kilo” in the Gulf of Oman, confirming that no US military personnel were injured.

According to the Central Command, the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar oil network that finances Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies in the region, while its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, said Washington would impose a “greater economic cost” on Tehran in response to the targeting of its vessels.

Tehran Condemns the Strikes and Vows a Stronger Response

Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the targeting of its vessels in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, describing the US actions as “illegal and aggressive acts,” and considering the naval blockade and economic war a threat to the security of navigation.

Tehran affirmed its determination to defend its sovereignty and national interests in the face of what it described as US hostile actions.