US strikes Iranian tankers under new policy
The US military struck two Iranian government tankers on Tuesday, marking the first direct retaliatory attack on Iranian ships since the beginning of the war, according to US officials quoted by Axios. The strikes were carried out under a new "tanker for tanker" policy approved by President Donald Trump, aimed at deterring further Iranian attacks on ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
The two tankers, which were anchored off Iran's coast north of the US naval blockade line, were hit in their engine rooms by missiles launched from US drones, officials said. The White House and US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were in response to recent attacks by Iran on commercial ships in the strait, as well as American bases in the region.
Around 100 targets hit
US officials said approximately 100 targets were struck in Tuesday's operation. In addition to the tankers, the targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense sites, radar systems, mine-laying capabilities, communications sites, anti-ship cruise missile launchers, and attack drone launchers.
A US official told Axios that the strikes were part of a larger plan to prevent Tehran from rebuilding radar and missile capabilities used to attack ships. The official described the strategy as "mow the lawn" to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers and US military assets in the region.
Wider regional tensions
According to the Jerusalem Post, Iran has launched attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq in response. The US embassy in Jerusalem issued a security warning for American citizens in the Middle East due to rising tensions. Bahrain's Interior Ministry also issued an alert for "potential threats in the country."
US officials said around 25 ballistic missiles were fired by Iran, with about half reaching Jordanian airspace, ten intercepted, and three landing without causing casualties. A US official said around 40 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
President Trump warned of a harsher response if Iran retaliated. He claimed he "couldn't care less" if Iran signs an agreement, adding, "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing."
Disputed report of wedding strike
Iranian state media reported that a US strike hit a wedding ceremony in the town of Kuhestak, killing at least four people and wounding at least 35. CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins disputed the claim, saying, "We're aware of the reports, which originated from Iranian state media. The US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC."
A US official told Axios that the renewed strikes degraded Tehran's capabilities in Hormuz and "bought at least a month" of lowered threat levels for commercial tankers.