Iran strikes back after attacks on oil tankers

TEHRAN — Iran said on Sunday that its forces attacked a US naval drone trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, hours after targeting ships in retaliation for US strikes on three oil tankers.

The latest round of clashes, which began with the United States' raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in their six-month war.

Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic strait while Washington continues a blockade of Iranian ports.

Washington is also seeking to choke Iran's economy, rolling out sanctions on entities with financial links to the Islamic republic in a bid to force it into submission.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday it "attacked an American military unmanned surface vessel" attempting to enter the strait, according to a statement carried by state television.

Hours earlier, the IRGC said its naval forces "targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorized route of the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America in other areas".

It warned ships not to attempt to transit on unapproved routes.

On Saturday, the US Central Command said it struck tankers linked to the IRGC, accusing it of unsuccessfully firing at US warships.

"Following Iran's failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask," it said.

"American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo ... in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship."

Video posted by CENTCOM showed large fireballs and billowing flames after projectiles slammed into the ships.

Iran's Foreign Ministry hit out at Washington over the strikes on oil tankers, calling them "illegal and aggressive actions".

AGENCIES-XINHUA