The United States military has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf region in retaliation for attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against a US Navy vessel over the past two days, according to US officials.
The operation marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that similar strikes could continue if American forces come under attack.
Tankers destroyed in retaliatory action
In a statement on Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the five Iranian tankers were destroyed after their crews were warned to abandon the vessels before the air strikes took place.
CENTCOM added that no US service members were injured during the Iranian ballistic missile attacks targeting the US naval vessel.
Rubio issues warning to Iran
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Colombia, Rubio said the United States would continue targeting Iranian oil tankers if Tehran persisted in attacking American military assets.
"Iran continues to try to strike American warships, and every time it does, or attempts to do so, it will lose oil tankers," Rubio said.
"I think you'll see it happen again today," he added.
Tensions remain high
The US action follows what Washington described as Iranian attacks on a US warship in the Gulf region, further heightening tensions between the two countries.
Neither CENTCOM nor Rubio provided additional details regarding the location of the destroyed vessels or the extent of the damage caused by the Iranian attacks.
Source: AMNA
