U.S. strikes three Iranian oil tankers after missile attack on Navy ships

U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers Saturday after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The attacks came just hours after the U.S. said the missiles were launched from a location in the southern Persian Gulf. The strikes were carried out by U.S. Navy warships and aircraft that intercepted the tankers before they could reach international shipping lanes.

The incident follows months of rising tensions between the United States and Iran over shipping security and Iran’s support for militant groups in the region. Iran has repeatedly threatened to target U.S. vessels that patrol the Gulf, citing its right to defend the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has maintained a naval presence in the area to protect commercial traffic and to deter Iranian aggression. This latest exchange shows how quickly the situation can move from rhetoric to kinetic action.

The U.S. said the three tankers were owned by Iranian state‑affiliated companies and were carrying crude oil when they were hit. The Navy’s strike ships used precision weapons that disabled the vessels and prevented them from reaching the sea. Iran’s Ministry of Defence called the strikes “unlawful acts of aggression” but said they were a response to the U.S. missile launches. U.S. officials described the action as a defensive measure to protect their ships and maintain freedom of navigation.

The U.S. is likely to keep a heightened presence in the Gulf while monitoring for further Iranian moves. Washington may seek diplomatic pressure through the United Nations and its allies to curb Iran’s missile program. The incident underscores the fragile balance in the region, where a single escalation could threaten global oil supplies and trigger a broader conflict.