Overview
- The U.S. said Saturday it attacked three Iranian-linked oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, saying one ship, the M/T Kylo, was sunk and two others were permanently put out of service.
- CENTCOM said the strikes were retaliation after the IRGC fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. carrier and a destroyer and reported that no American personnel were injured.
- The U.S. released footage it says shows fires on the ships and described the vessels as part of a 'billion-dollar shadow network' that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard disputed some U.S. claims, said it targeted three tankers on 'unauthorized routes' and three U.S.-linked ships, and Tehran announced plans to declare a maritime 'sperrzone' near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest levels since May, cutting exports and increasing risks to global oil flows and to crews and ports that depend on Gulf trade.