Iran Vows Escalated Attacks on US Following Oil Tanker Strikes

Iran has threatened to intensify its attacks against American naval vessels if the United States continues its maritime blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran also stated that the scope of these attacks could broaden if the U.S. persists in "harassing" Iranian ships.

This warning follows a U.S. announcement that it had struck three oil tankers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the Revolutionary Guard had fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships patrolling territorial waters. In response to these failed Iranian attacks, CENTCOM stated it had "permanently disabled" two Revolutionary Guard oil tankers.

Adding to the tensions, Iranian state media reported the explosion of a fuel truck in the western part of the country, which killed ten people. While the cause remains unclear, with local officials attributing it to a brake malfunction, suspicions of an American operation linger. This incident occurred after a period of relative calm, with diplomatic channels remaining stalled.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had reiterated threats against Iran, warning of an imminent strike on the "Mount Chimney" underground facility. Trump emphasized that the U.S. is closely monitoring Iran's activities and will not permit it to acquire nuclear weapons, characterizing the ongoing events as a "low-cost military confrontation" rather than a war, citing the comparatively low casualty count.

The "Mount Chimney" facility, located near a key Iranian nuclear site, serves as an underground, air-strike-proof alternative for centrifuges used in uranium enrichment, following a 2020 explosion. Both Israel and the United States are reportedly conducting close intelligence surveillance of the facility.

The day's events began with initial reports from Iran about explosions near Kharg Island, known as the "Oil Island" of the Islamic Republic. Iranian media initially reported one oil tanker being hit near the island, later stating it sustained four hits while docked. While Iranian reports indicated no casualties and the crew was evacuated, Tehran did not initially address the U.S. announcement regarding the other two tankers.