Iran retaliates after US strikes oil tankers
Iran said its forces attacked a US naval drone trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, hours after targeting ships in retaliation for American strikes on three oil tankers.
Tensions escalated between Iran and the United States after American forces targeted three oil tankers, allegedly in retaliation for strikes on Iranian vessels. The conflict began with US raids last week, and both sides remain in a deadlock. Iran has controlled the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial narrow waterway, while Washington imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have attacked an American military unmanned surface vessel trying to enter the strait. The US countered by striking tankers linked to the IRGC and destroying three unladen crude oil carriers. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper warned that if the US faced further attacks, it would impose a higher economic cost on Iran.
The Iranian foreign ministry denounced the strikes as "illegal and aggressive actions." Iran's Khatam-al Anbiya central military command threatened more severe retaliation if the US continued its attacks.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
