The US military struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, claiming they were responding to missile attacks on US Navy warships. The operation, carried out by US Central Command, came a day after President Donald Trump downplayed the conflict, calling it “small potatoes.” The strikes were part of a broader warning that the US would “if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet,” according to military officials.
Iranian state media reported that one of the targeted tankers was hit by four US missiles near Kharg Island, though the US did not confirm the number of vessels struck. The US claimed its warships had been subjected to “multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks,” which it said were evaded by an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. The incident follows Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting a potential attack on Iran’s “Pickaxe Mountain” facility, a key oil infrastructure site.
The escalation marks a sharp rise in tensions between the US and Iran, with both sides accusing each other of provocative actions. While the US framed the strikes as a defensive measure, Iran has condemned the attacks as an act of aggression. The situation remains volatile, with no immediate indication of a broader military response from Iran.
The US military has not released details on the exact number of tankers hit or the extent of damage, but the strikes underscore the growing risk of conflict in the region. As both nations continue to accuse each other, the situation remains under close international scrutiny.
