Iran strongly condemned United States strikes on three Iranian crude oil tankers Saturday as “illegal and aggressive”, accusing Washington of carrying out the attacks as part of a naval blockade and economic war against the country.
“These illegal and aggressive actions, carried out in continuation of the US military aggression against Iran and as part of its naval blockade and economic war against our homeland, constitute a clear violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, a war crime, and a clear threat to international peace and the security of commercial shipping,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry stressed Iran’s determination to “firmly defend its sovereignty and national interests” against what it described as US “state terrorism and aggressive actions”.
It said such actions included “the continued naval blockade and economic war, as well as attacks on commercial vessels”.
The ministry said responsibility for the consequences of continued US “aggressive and interventionist actions” in the region would rest with Washington and its “accomplices and partners”.
Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that its forces struck and disabled three Iranian crude oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships in regional waters.
In a statement shared on X, CENTCOM said an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks, adding that no American personnel were injured.
According to the statement, US forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. They also destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon ship.
CENTCOM said the vessels were part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” he added.
US strikes Iranian oil tanker near Kharg
A US missile struck an Iranian oil tanker near Iran’s Kharg Island on Saturday, according to Iranian media.
The tanker involved was a “small vessel,” Iran’s Student News Agency reported.
It said no casualties were reported.
Kharg Island is vital to Iran’s oil export system, handling roughly 90% to 95% of the country’s crude exports.
US President Donald Trump previously threatened to take control of the island.
Regional tensions have escalated since US-Israeli attacks on Iran began February 28, with Tehran responding with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US interests across the region.
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 concerning freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation has stalled amid disagreements over security arrangements in the strait.
High-ranking US military officials subjected to polygraph tests over information leaks: CBS
US investigators in August administered polygraph tests to 50 military officers and civilian officials following leaks concerning depleted American munitions stocks, according to multiple media reports on Friday.
The probe targeted personnel with the Joint Staff, a group of senior military leaders advising the president, focusing on leaks regarding shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors due to the war with Iran, The New York Times reported.
A CBS News report revealed that the FBI was not involved in conducting the tests, as the military utilised its internal investigators. Not all senior leaders were tested; the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, was excluded from the sweep.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly furious about the unauthorised disclosures.
No officials failed the polygraph questions designed to determine if they leaked information to the media, according to CBS News. Investigators were also concerned about whether a government official was potentially operating as a foreign spy because access to the specific munitions data was highly restricted, it said.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the agency “does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters” but takes classified leaks “extremely seriously and investigates accordingly.”
Trump denied the reported strategic shortages, insisting the military possesses “massive amounts” of weaponry. Trump labelled the disclosures as “treasonous statements” and “fake news,” warning that those responsible would be “hunted down” and face severe prison sentences.
The polygraph sweep followed separate unauthorised disclosures, including a leaked portion of the Secretary of Defence Orders Book. The document showed six four-star leaders formally expressing dissent about extending large-scale operations against Iran, warning the war is “unsustainable” and erodes global readiness.
Parnell condemned the leak as a “crime” and “a betrayal of the force” and said much of the reporting was inaccurate.
US Congressman questions Trump administration claims on Iran
Earlier, US Congressman Ted Lieu questioned the Trump administration’s claims that Iran was a “failed state”, asking: “Then how does Iran keep launching drones and missiles at our bases and our allies?” according to Al Jazeera.
Speaking with US broadcaster MS Now, Lieu said, “how come the average price of gas is $4.12 across America?”
“The White House is clearly not telling the truth…They need to come clean to the American people. How are we going to exit this endless war in Iran instead of trading strikes back and forth?”
Separately, according to Axios, the Trump administration is also drafting a post-war plan for the Middle East.
While in the early stages of drafting, the outlet said that it was intended to guide the US approach in the Middle East after the Iran war ended.
