US Strikes Back at Iran: Two Oil Tankers Destroyed, 100 Military Sites Hit in Major Escalation

New Delhi: Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified once again after the US launched a major retaliatory operation targeting Iranian oil tankers and military infrastructure. According to reports, two Iranian state-owned oil tankers were hit by US strikes under Washington’s so-called “tanker-for-tanker” policy, while around 100 Iranian military sites were also targeted.

The two oil tankers were reportedly anchored north of the US naval blockade line near the Iranian coast. US drones allegedly struck the vessels’ engine rooms with missiles, causing significant damage.

US Targets Iran’s Military Infrastructure
US officials said the strikes were carried out in response to earlier Iranian attacks on US commercial vessels operating in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The US operation reportedly targeted several key components of Iran’s military infrastructure, including IRGC air-defence centres, radar installations, mine-laying capabilities, communication facilities, anti-ship cruise missile launchers and attack-drone launch sites. Washington said the operation was necessary to protect American military bases and safeguard international maritime trade.

Iran Responds With Ballistic Missiles and Drones
Iran retaliated by launching approximately 25 ballistic missiles, according to US and regional officials. Reports said around half of the missiles entered Jordanian airspace, with Jordan claiming to have intercepted and destroyed 10 of them. Three additional missiles reportedly fell without causing casualties or significant damage. Iran also launched more than two dozen drones and missiles toward US military positions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil in Iraq. Most of the incoming weapons were reportedly intercepted before reaching their targets.

US Claims Iran’s Offensive Capability Has Been Weakened
US officials claimed that the strikes significantly reduced Iran’s ability to launch further attacks and helped eliminate the immediate threat to commercial shipping for at least a month. Despite the escalation, around 40 vessels carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil reportedly passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday under the protection of US forces.

Iran Alleges Civilian Deaths in Wedding Strike
Meanwhile, Iran has alleged that civilians were killed when a US strike hit a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak. A spokesperson for US Central Command rejected the allegation, saying that American forces do not target civilians and accusing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of having a history of doing so. The latest exchange marks another sharp escalation between Washington and Tehran, with the Strait of Hormuz and global oil supplies once again at the centre of the confrontation.