Iran targets US drone in Strait of Hormuz after US tanker strikes

The United States military announced that it had struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, citing the need to respond to ballistic missile attacks reportedly launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two U.S. Navy warships. The strikes were carried out by U.S. forces in the early hours of the operation, targeting vessels that the U.S. said were used to transport Iranian military equipment and supplies. The action follows a series of escalating tensions between the two nations, with the U.S. citing the missile attacks as a direct threat to its naval assets operating in the region.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that the tankers were legitimate military targets, as they were believed to be involved in the planning and execution of the missile strikes. Iran has denied that the vessels were used for military purposes, describing the U.S. operation as an unprovoked attack on civilian shipping. The incident has drawn condemnation from several regional actors and has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the already volatile Middle East. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to protecting its forces and maintaining freedom of navigation in the Gulf, while urging restraint from all parties to prevent a broader conflict.