US strikes nearly 100 Iranian military targets, including two oil tankers

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The US military struck nearly 100 Iranian military targets on Tuesday, including, for the first time, two oil tankers belonging to the Iranian government, according to US officials. The operation was carried out under a new "tanker-versus-tanker" strategy approved by President Donald Trump, designed to deter Iranian forces that have threatened maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the two tankers were anchored off Iran's coast north of the US naval blockade line and were struck by US drones, which hit their engine rooms. Other targets included air defense systems, radars, mine-laying capabilities, communication centers and anti-ship missile and attack drone platforms operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran responded with approximately 25 ballistic missiles, US officials said, with roughly half reaching Jordanian airspace, ten intercepted and three falling without causing casualties. Tehran also launched around 24 drones and missiles toward US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, while two drones heading toward a US base in Erbil were intercepted. US Central Command and the White House stated the operation was conducted in response to IRGC attacks or attempted attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and on US forces in the region. Officials said about 40 ships carrying millions of barrels of oil transited the strait safely on Tuesday, with IRGC missiles and drones targeting the vessels intercepted. A US official said the strikes had reduced Iran's attack capability in the Strait of Hormuz and that the threat to commercial shipping had receded for at least one month.