US strikes three Iranian tankers following alleged missile attacks on warships

The United States Central Command stated it permanently disabled three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday. The strikes occurred after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly launched ballistic missiles toward two American Navy warships. CENTCOM identified the vessels as the M/T Downy near Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and the unladen M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman. Video released by the command showed fireballs rising from the ships after they were struck multiple times. The US military described the tankers as part of a network funding the Revolutionary Guard.

No American personnel were harmed during the confrontation. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper indicated US forces would defend themselves and could destroy further targets if necessary. In response, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced the era of proportionate responses has ended. He promised that any violation of Iranian security will receive a faster, heavier, and more painful retaliation. Iranian state television reported earlier that US missiles struck a tanker about ten kilometers from land.