Iran says US tanker strikes prompt escalation of military actions in Gulf
After the United States reported hitting three Iranian oil tankers, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed to have attacked U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and warned of further strikes.
The U.S. Central Command released footage on Saturday showing three Iranian crude-oil tankers struck in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran's ports, saying two were permanently disabled and a third sank after extensive bombing. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) posted video of projectiles hitting multiple ships in the Strait of Hormuz and claimed to have damaged a U.S.-built sea drone attempting to enter Iranian waters.
The IRGC also said it launched several ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and another warship that are part of the naval blockade of Iran's southern ports. The force reported that both vessels sustained damage and withdrew, although U.S. officials said the attacks were evaded and provided no evidence of successful hits.
Speaker of Iran's parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told lawmakers that recent strikes on U.S. bases marked the end of “proportionate responses” and warned that any further attacks on Iranian interests would be met with “faster, heavier and more painful” retaliation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the U.S. attacks on Iranian ships as illegal and a violation of the United Nations Charter.
U.S. officials maintain that commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased, while Iranian authorities contend the waterway remains effectively closed. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said only about 30 million barrels of Iranian crude remain unsold to China, suggesting that remaining supplies will soon be exhausted. Iran's Economy Ministry announced the creation of an “economic war headquarters” to address the combined impact of the blockade and sanctions.