Washington, Sept 7:
US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after accusing Tehran of carrying out attacks against American warships, escalating tensions in the Gulf amid the wider confrontation between Washington and Iran.
The US military said the vessels were linked to Iran and had been targeted in strikes in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran’s Kharg Island. Washington accused Iran of using its oil trade and related networks to support regional proxy groups and said the military action was carried out in response to Iranian attacks.
Iran condemned the strikes as “illegal” and “aggressive”, accusing the United States of escalating the conflict. The confrontation has raised fresh concerns over the security of shipping and energy supplies in the Gulf, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.