U.S. Strikes Two Iranian State Tankers Under New Retaliation Policy

U.S. officials said American forces struck two Iranian government tankers during Tuesday's operation against Iranian military targets. The vessels were anchored off Iran's coast north of the U.S. blockade line, where drones fired missiles into their engine rooms. Officials said President Donald Trump approved a new "tanker for tanker" policy to deter Iranian attacks on shipping, making these the first reported U.S. tanker strikes conducted as retaliation rather than blockade enforcement. U.S. Central Command said the wider strike wave followed attempted IRGC attacks on commercial shipping and American service members.