U.S. Hits Two Iranian Tankers in Hormuz Under New Retaliation Policy

U.S. military drones fired missiles at two Iranian government tankers anchored north of the U.S. blockade line, implementing a new “tanker for tanker” policy sanctioned by President Donald Trump to retaliate for Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to footage released by U.S. Central Command, the strikes hit the vessels' engine rooms; TankerTrackers.com assessed the ships were empty but could not confirm ownership.

The action was part of a larger campaign that targeted roughly 100 Iranian installations, including radar, air-defense, mine-laying and communications sites, aiming to curb Tehran's ability to threaten maritime traffic. U.S. officials claimed the operation bought at least a month of reduced risk for the roughly 40 commercial ships transiting the Persian Gulf that day. In response, Iran launched about 25 ballistic missiles, some reaching Jordanian airspace, and around two dozen drones toward U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and elsewhere, most of which were intercepted. The strikes were presented as a “mowing the lawn” effort to prevent Iran from rebuilding its maritime-threat capabilities, while President Trump praised the U.S. position as near-total control of the waterway.