US disables Iranian tankers; Iran claims carrier strikes — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- CENTCOM released video showing three Iranian crude oil tankers hit — one off Kharg Island, one near Jask, and one in the Gulf of Oman — with two "permanently disabled" and one sunk after extensive bombing.
- Iran's IRGC aired video of projectiles striking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and claimed ballistic missile strikes on a US aircraft carrier and another warship; CENTCOM said the attacks were "evaded."
- Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared "the era of proportionate responses has come to an end" and warned future attacks on Iranian interests would draw "faster, heavier and more painful" strikes.
- The US blockade, in place since mid-July, has redirected about 90 commercial vessels and disabled or boarded several more, with Middle East crude exports down 39% from the January-February baseline of 18.5 million barrels per day.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said only about 30 million barrels of Iranian crude oil remain unpurchased by China, claiming the supply will "run out soon" as part of Operation Economic Outcast.
- Iran's Economy Ministry established an "economic war headquarters" to counter the pressure amid one of the world's highest inflation rates, unemployment, and energy imbalance.
Why it matters: The blockade is biting: Middle East crude exports are down 39% and Iran's remaining 30 million barrels of unsold oil are nearly exhausted, squeezing Tehran's main revenue stream. Iran's leadership is warning of escalation after declaring the era of proportionate responses over, raising the risk that economic pressure and military strikes escalate in tandem.
Ask SkimNews
