Iran Warns of Retaliation Against US Targets After Tanker Strikes

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Saturday that any further attacks on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a 'heavy assault' on American military assets and ships in the region. The warning came a day after the United States Central Command said US naval forces disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman as part of ongoing blockade operations against Iran.

The IRGC Aerospace Force claimed that Iranian missiles and drones were already targeting US military assets and naval vessels in the region, saying 'IRGC Aerospace Force missiles and drones have locked onto American targets in the region and the enemy aggressor's ships. We are awaiting the order to fire.'

The US Central Command said US forces have disabled four Iranian vessels since April 13 and redirected 58 commercial ships during the blockade period.

The latest developments follow an exchange of fire earlier this week between American naval forces and Iranian assets near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route.

The US and Iranian governments are expected to continue their diplomatic efforts to resolve the tensions, with the US President Donald Trump confirming that three US Navy destroyers had come under attack while transiting the strait, but said the vessels passed through successfully. The court will not be involved in this matter, but the UN Security Council may discuss the issue in the coming days.