U.S. strikes Iran tankers under new "tanker for tanker" policy

The United States conducted military strikes on two Iranian government tankers, part of a new "tanker for tanker" policy aimed at deterring Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the first time U.S. forces have targeted Iranian tankers in retaliation. The strikes occurred on Tuesday, with around 100 targets hit, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense sites, radar systems, and anti-ship cruise missile launchers.

Iranian retaliation fired around 25 ballistic missiles and drones, but most were intercepted, causing no casualties. Iran also launched attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, but U.S. forces intercepted many of these. The strikes were a response to recent Iranian attempts to attack commercial ships, as well as to address Iran's need to rebuild its radar and missile capabilities.

The U.S. aims to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, U.S. Navy ships, and Air Force aircraft, effectively mowing the lawn of potential threats. As tensions escalated, American forces continued guiding ships through the strait, intercepting several anti-ship cruise missiles and drones fired by Iran, none of which hit any ships.

The U.S. also faced criticism over Iranian reports of civilian casualties, with the U.S. military denying targeting civilians, unlike the IRGC.