The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers after saying Navy warships had been targeted with ballistic missiles. The strikes, announced Saturday, came a day after 
Donald Trump sought to minimize the conflict as "small potatoes," six months into an on-again, off-again war that began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, PBS NewsHour reported. The two sides had resumed attacks nearly a week earlier, following a month of relative calm.
What did the U.S. military say? The military's statement said an American aircraft carrier and a destroyer evaded "multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks" while patrolling in the region, and that no U.S. personnel were hurt. It said two Iranian oil carriers were "permanently disabled" and the third, unladen one was destroyed, describing the tankers as part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies. "We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet," said Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command.
Where were the tankers hit? The U.S. said one tanker was struck off Kharg Island, home to a terminal through which Iran exports most of its oil, and another near Jask, east of the Strait of Hormuz. The unladen tanker was hit in the Gulf of Oman, and its crew had been "directed to abandon ship." Four U.S. missiles struck a tanker about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Kharg Island, Iranian state television had said earlier, and the broadcaster later reported that the two other tankers' crews had evacuated.
How did Iran respond? Iran targeted three oil tankers and three American vessels in response to the U.S. strikes, Iran's state broadcaster said later Saturday, though PBS NewsHour reported the claim could not be immediately verified. A spokesperson for Iran's joint military command said strikes against U.S. military ships would be more severe if the U.S. continues to interfere with Iranian shipping. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the attacks a war crime and said the consequences for continued U.S. aggression, including "economic warfare," would rest with Washington and its allies.
Where do talks stand? Negotiations have collapsed, PBS NewsHour reported, and Vice President 
J.D. Vance said Thursday there was no prospect for renewed talks as long as Iran goes after ships. The elected government of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said it favors a negotiated end to the war.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump, J.D. Vance. — JudgeMarket.
