US Strikes 3 Iranian Tankers As Trump Warns Iran And Boosts Saudi Military Support
US strikes on three Iranian oil tankers have sharply escalated the Iran conflict as President Donald Trump warns Tehran, threatens another nuclear site and the US boosts Saudi Arabia’s military with a potential $5 billion arms package.
The latest escalation came Saturday when US Central Command said American forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships in regional waters. A US aircraft carrier and a guided missile destroyer successfully evaded the attacks, and no American personnel were injured. Two tankers were permanently disabled, while a third unladen tanker was destroyed, according to the US military. Washington said the vessels were linked to a covert network supporting the IRGC.
The strikes came as tensions also rose around Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub. Iranian media reported that a tanker near the island was hit by four US missiles. No casualties were reported and the crew was evacuated. The US had not immediately confirmed that specific strike. Kharg has historically handled around 90% of Iran’s crude exports, making the area crucial to Tehran’s oil trade.
The tanker attacks follow earlier US strikes on Iranian vessels and a reported new “tanker for tanker” policy aimed at responding to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, meanwhile, has continued to downplay the wider conflict. He called it a “military conflict” and described it as “small potatoes” for the US, backing Vice President JD Vance’s refusal to call it a war.
Vance faced an awkward exchange with reporters when asked whether the fighting could end before the November 3 US midterm elections. He said he did not know when it would end and told reporters they would have to “ask the Iranians.” He also said there was no active shooting at that moment and argued that Iran remained responsible for attacks on shipping.
Washington is also strengthening Saudi Arabia’s military position. The State Department approved a potential $5 billion sale of JDAM-ER precision guidance kits, bombs and related equipment to Riyadh, with Boeing as the main contractor. A separate potential $750 million sale of 60 AGT-1500 tank engines was also approved, taking the two possible packages to about $5.75 billion.
Trump has also threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified site near Iran’s damaged Natanz nuclear facility. The site reportedly contains deeply buried tunnel complexes and is considered one of the remaining sensitive parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The conflict has created pressure inside Washington too. Around 50 Joint Staff personnel reportedly underwent polygraph tests over leaks about US weapons shortages, including long range missiles and Patriot interceptors. Gen Dan Caine was reportedly not tested, while no one failed questions specifically about leaking information to journalists. Trump has called weapons shortage reports “treasonous” and vowed to hunt down leakers. The Pentagon has not confirmed the details.
The regional fallout is also spreading to Yemen, where more than 60 people were killed in fresh fighting between Saudi backed government forces and Iran aligned Houthis. Fighting around Taiz and the government held port of Mokha has raised concerns over the Bab al Mandab shipping route.