Overview
- The U.S. military said it struck three Iranian oil tankers, permanently disabling two and sinking the M/T Kylo, after ordering the crew to evacuate.
- U.S. officials said the strikes were carried out in response to the IRGC firing ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a destroyer and that no U.S. personnel were hurt.
- The IRGC and Iranian state media said they had targeted three tankers on 'unauthorized routes,' three U.S.-linked ships and a U.S. Navy drone and warned of harsher retaliation.
- CENTCOM published video of fires aboard the ships and described the vessels as part of a 'billion-dollar shadow network' that finances the IRGC and its proxies.
- The attacks deepen economic pressure on Iran by hitting export chokepoints such as Kharg island and increase the danger of further naval escalation that could disrupt global oil routes.