The United States military has said it destroyed three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday following alleged ballistic missile attacks on two US Navy ships by Iranian forces.
US Central Command said the Navy vessels successfully avoided the incoming missiles and no American personnel were injured. In response, US forces targeted three Iranian oil carriers near Kharg Island, Jask and the Gulf of Oman, reportedly leaving the vessels permanently inoperable.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with tensions increasingly focused on maritime security and oil supplies.
The problem is still centered on the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway handles a major share of global oil shipments, and continued military activity has already raised concerns among shipping companies and energy markets.
The US has also intensified strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, including air-defence systems, radar sites and maritime capabilities. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks and warned of further action if its oil exports are blocked.
With military installations, commercial shipping and oil infrastructure now becoming targets, fears are growing that the conflict could further disrupt global energy supplies and push fuel prices higher.