US forces strike Iranian tankers as Hormuz maritime conflict escalates

The US military has struck Iranian targets and oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz following IRGC missile and mine attacks, while President Donald Trump warned of broader strikes.
The United States has intensified military action against Iranian assets in the Strait of Hormuz, striking military sites and three oil tankers following attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to US Central Command, the operations came in retaliation for ballistic missiles fired at two American warships and an attempt to deploy naval mines, which US forces subsequently neutralized.
The conflict's expansion to commercial fleets highlights an emerging shift toward targeting critical energy infrastructure. US President Donald Trump issued further warnings, threatening strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure and power grids if disruptions to international maritime traffic persist. Trump cautioned that "very little will remain of Iran" should hostilities continue.
Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV
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Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCUS military strikes Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz following naval missile attacks
- Oct 16, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCUS military targets Iranian oil tankers following missile strikes near Strait of Hormuz
- Oct 15, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCUS targets Iranian oil tankers following Strait of Hormuz missile attacks
- Oct 15, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCUnited States expands military strikes against Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz
- Oct 15, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCUS strikes Iranian oil tankers as Trump threatens energy infrastructure
- Oct 13, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCUS forces strike Iranian oil tankers after missile attacks in Strait of Hormuz
- Oct 13, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCUS strikes Iranian oil tankers as conflict escalates near Strait of Hormuz
- Oct 13, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCUS forces strike Iranian targets and oil tankers near Strait of Hormuz
- Oct 13, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCUS forces target Iranian energy assets as maritime tensions escalate
- Oct 13, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCUS military completes strikes near Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise