The United States struck three Iranian oil tankers after saying that its warships had been targeted, officials announced, marking a fresh escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The strikes occurred nearly a week after fighting between the two countries flared up again following a period of several weeks of relative calm in the region. U.S. authorities said the action was taken in response to threats against American naval vessels.
The targeting of tankers signals a widening of the conflict beyond direct military-to-military exchanges and could carry implications for maritime traffic and energy markets in the region. Oil tankers have frequently been at the centre of tensions in recent years, and attacks on commercial or energy infrastructure tend to raise concerns among shipping firms and governments.
Analysts say the move is likely to complicate diplomatic efforts to de-escalate between the United States and Iran and could prompt further retaliatory measures, although details on any immediate response by Tehran were not reported. The strikes come amid already heightened regional alertness after the recent resumption of hostilities.
Further information about the strikes, including the precise locations, the damage inflicted and any casualties, was not provided in the initial statements. International observers and governments are expected to monitor developments closely for any broader impact on regional security and commercial shipping lanes.