US, Iran trade strikes on oil tankers as Gulf tensions escalate

On Saturday, US and Iranian forces engaged in exchanges of fire around Iran, as the US struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation comes after Iran claimed to have targeted three tankers in the same strait, following ballistic missile attacks on two US Navy ships. US Central Command confirmed the strikes, stating that three Iranian vessels were hit, including one near Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub.

In response, the IRGC threatened more attacks against US military vessels in the region and later admitted to targeting three tankers and three US-linked vessels. Iranian state television warned the US military to refrain from suspicious movements through unauthorized waterways, or they would be targeted. Four US missiles struck a tanker near Kharg Island, though there were no reported casualties.

The ongoing tensions stem from a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, disrupting global energy supplies and heightening concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. The confrontation has also renewed attention on Kharg Island, crucial to Iran's oil industry, where US President Donald Trump has threatened military action.

The US has imposed sanctions on Iran, while Trump has left open the possibility of further military action, including a potential takeover of the island. The situation intensifies global energy market concerns, with Brent crude futures reaching a record high of $96.28 a barrel on Friday, amid worries over possible disruptions to oil supplies.