US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers

On Saturday, US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers, including one near Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

According to CENTCOM, the attacks followed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's launch of ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships. No US personnel were injured.

"If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost – taking out three of yours", CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper told the Revolutionary Guards.

The Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency had previously reported that a tanker in the anchorage area near Kharg was struck by four US missiles. Citing local sources, it said the attack caused no casualties and that the crew had been evacuated. Iranian authorities did not immediately confirm the attack officially.

Before the war, Kharg accounted for approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports. Iran is the third-largest producer in the OPEC, but its exports have been restricted since April by a US naval blockade.

(Reuters, lud)