The United States directly attacked three Iranian oil tankers at sea, marking a new phase in the war between the two countries. The offensive occurred after US Navy warships were targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles. The US Army Central Command announced the action and warned that it could, "if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet".
International security experts considered the action a dangerous escalation, especially after previous Iranian attacks at sea that had mainly targeted commercial vessels. The attack on the oil tankers represents a strategy shift, moving from civilian targets to Iran's own oil infrastructure.
The attacks happened one day after the US President, Donald Trump, made some unspecified decision in the article. The offensive is part of growing tensions between the two countries, which already included economic sanctions and naval confrontations in the Gulf.
The oil war intensifies with this direct military action, at a time when Tehran had already threatened to respond at sea. The situation places new risks of open conflict in the Gulf region.
