HIBAPRESS – Follow-up
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the sinking of the Iranian oil tanker "M/T Kilo" and its settling at the bottom of the Gulf of Oman. It published footage it claimed documented the moment the ship sank, after it was targeted as part of US strikes that hit three Iranian oil tankers.
CENTCOM stated that the three tankers are part of a "secret multibillion-dollar network" that funds Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its regional proxies. It added that US forces disabled the "Downey" and "Stark 1" tankers, while "Kilo," also known as "Knoxen," was destroyed after targeting vital sites and evacuating its crew.
In contrast, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the targeting of a US military drone boat that was attempting to enter a protected area in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran vowed to escalate its attacks on US military ships if, in its words, the "evil actions" and naval blockade on Iran continue.
These developments come amidst a broader US escalation against Tehran, combining military strikes with economic sanctions. Questions remain about the extent to which the policy of "economic strangulation" can push Iran to change its policies, especially given its continued relations with major powers, including China.
