Iran warns of harsher strikes on US warships if tensions escalate

Iran's Khatam al-Anbia headquarters warned on Saturday that Iranian strikes against US warships would intensify if Washington continues its hostile actions and blockade.

In a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zou al-Faghari said, "If hostile actions continue, causing insecurity and harassment of Iranian vessels, and a maritime blockade is imposed on Iran, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver even harsher strikes against US warships in the region, with the possibility of escalation."

The warning came as reports circulated quoting a US official as saying that the United States would destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Iran fires on American ships.

Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had destroyed three Iranian Revolutionary Guard oil tankers after Iran targeted two US Navy warships.

CENTCOM said in a post on X that its forces carried out airstrikes on three Iranian crude oil tankers on September 5, after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships patrolling in territorial waters.