Iran warns of escalation after US strikes Iranian oil tankers

News Desk

Gulf of Oman: Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated further after Washington said it had targeted three Iranian oil tankers, while Tehran warned that continued attacks could trigger a broader military response.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were carried out near Iran’s Kharg Island in response to missile attacks on US vessels. According to the command, three Iranian tankers were destroyed following attacks on two American ships.

CENTCOM said the action was intended to send a direct warning to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that attacks on US vessels would face an immediate response.

The US military also released footage it said showed the destruction of the Iranian-flagged MT Kailu. CENTCOM claimed the tanker sank in the Gulf of Oman after encountering Iranian naval vessels.

The latest strikes have heightened concerns over the security of commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.

Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the US actions and warned that it could expand military operations if attacks against Iranian interests continue.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused Washington of attacking commercial vessels and described the strikes as a violation of the UN Charter and an alleged war crime.

Iran said it would defend its sovereignty and national interests and warned that the scope of its response could widen if the United States continues its attacks.

The confrontation has raised fresh concerns about the potential disruption of maritime traffic and energy supplies if hostilities between the two countries intensify further.