US and Iran exchange strikes in Gulf as tankers targeted
CENTCOM says it destroyed three Iranian crude tankers after an IRGC missile attack on two US warships; both sides issue warnings.
KEY POINTS
- IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US warships; CENTCOM says ships defended successfully
- US forces struck three Iranian crude tankers in response — two off Kharg Island, one in Gulf of Oman
- IRGC claims it targeted three unauthorized tankers in Hormuz plus three US-linked vessels elsewhere
- Admiral Cooper and SecDef Hegseth warn of severe economic retaliation against Iran's tanker fleet
- Turkish FM Fidan held call with Iranian FM Araghchi amid rising tensions
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters, according to US Central Command. CENTCOM said the American vessels successfully defended themselves and retaliated by striking three Iranian crude oil tankers — two near Kharg Island and one in the Gulf of Oman.
The IRGC separately claimed it had targeted three tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz without permission, plus three US-linked vessels elsewhere. An IRGC spokesman warned that future responses would be more intense, while a naval official said Iran had intercepted two to five ships daily in the strait between August 20 and 30.
“If you fire on our ships, we will impose a much higher economic cost on you.”
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper delivered a direct message: any fire on US ships would bring a far higher economic cost to Iran's limited tanker fleet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the threat, stating the US would destroy and sink Iranian tankers if American vessels were attacked again.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Araghchi as tensions escalated. The Iranian side asserted continued control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Basra Gulf, saying US actions would not diminish its authority there.
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