The US military executed direct strikes on two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vessels on Tuesday, representing the first direct retaliatory attack on Iranian ships since the onset of the conflict, according to a report by Axios citing American officials.
This decisive action is part of a newly approved “tanker for tanker” policy spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, designed to strengthen deterrence against Iranian aggression targeting maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prior to the implementation of this new strategy, US forces had solely focused on preventing Iranian vessels from breaching the naval blockade.
The targeted tankers were positioned off the coast of Iran, north of the US naval blockade line, when unmanned aerial vehicles launched missiles directly at their engine rooms, as reported by Axios.
The White House and US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the strikes were a direct response to recent Iranian assaults on commercial vessels within the Strait of Hormuz, as well as attacks on American military bases throughout the region.
However, these targeted strikes were integrated into a broader strategic plan aimed at preventing Tehran from rebuilding its radar and missile infrastructure, which is critical for orchestrating attacks on maritime vessels, the report noted.
A senior US official explained that the core of this strategy is to “mow the lawn,” a proactive measure designed to mitigate the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers and US military assets operating in the region, said Axios.
US Strikes Around 100 Iranian Targets in Coordinated Tuesday Assault
During Tuesday’s extensive round of strikes, US forces targeted approximately 100 locations, according to US officials cited by Axios.
The list of targeted sites included IRGC air defense installations, radar networks, mine-laying capabilities, communication hubs, anti-ship cruise missile launchers, and attack drone launch facilities.
In retaliation, Iran has launched counter-strikes against targets in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The US embassy in Jerusalem has issued an urgent security warning advising American citizens throughout the Middle East to exercise heightened caution.
In a similar vein, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry released an alert warning of potential threats within the country.
Officials noted that the renewed strikes significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, purchasing at least a month of reduced threat levels for commercial shipping.
Trump Claims ‘Almost Total Control’ of the Vital Hormuz Strait
President Trump remarked on Tuesday that he remains indifferent to whether Iran signs a new agreement, sharing his perspective on Truth Social.
“I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing,” he stated in his post.
