Washington, United States – US officials reported Saturday evening that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had launched ballistic missiles toward US forces throughout the conflict, considering the attempt to target two US Navy warships, including an aircraft carrier, a “major escalation” that changes the rules of engagement.
New US strategy to restrict Iranian oil exports
The Wall Street Journal quoted officials as saying that the United States began targeting Iranian tankers last week, as part of a new strategy approved by Washington to punish Tehran and restrict its vital ability to export oil and finance its proxies in the region.
Iranian response and stern warnings in the Strait of Hormuz
In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced earlier that it had targeted three oil tankers navigating an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three US vessels in other areas, asserting that these operations were a direct retaliation for Washington’s targeting of three Iranian tankers. The Iranian Navy issued a stern warning to all ships in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to avoid suspicious movements, while the Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters threatened even harsher strikes against US warships should the attacks continue.
American threat and a faltering diplomatic path
For his part, US Defense Secretary Pete Higgseth vowed to target all Iranian oil tankers within the Central Command and Pacific Command areas of responsibility, warning: “If Iran fires on our ships, we will destroy and sink their oil tankers.” These rapid developments on the ground come at a time when Washington is seeking to economically strangle Iran through a tight blockade of its ports and crippling sanctions, amidst stalled diplomatic efforts and the collapse of the relative calm that prevailed in the region throughout the past month.
