US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a sharp warning to Iran against targeting US Navy vessels, hinting at potential strikes on Iranian oil tankers if American ships come under attack.
Hegseth declared on the platform 'X' that the US might retaliate by targeting Iranian oil tankers if its vessels are fired upon, urging Tehran to avoid assaulting American naval units in the region.
The US official highlighted what he described as limited protection provided by Iranian air and naval forces to their oil tanker fleet, emphasizing that US forces have the capability to target these vessels.
He added that American aircraft, ships, and submarines could target Iranian oil tankers within the operations range of US Central Command 'CENTCOM', as well as the US command in the Indo-Pacific area.
‘Two Ships for Three’
Hegseth's statements coincided with the reposting of a US Central Command statement warning the Iranian Revolutionary Guard against attacking US ships.
CENTCOM cautioned that Tehran would face military and economic retaliation if it targets American naval units, affirming that US forces are prepared to defend their personnel and interests in the region.
According to the statement, targeting two American ships could result in the targeting of three Iranian ships, reflecting the escalating rhetoric of mutual deterrence between Washington and Tehran.
CENTCOM assured that US forces would not hesitate to respond if attacked, indicating readiness to target what it termed the 'limited Iranian fleet' if necessary.
These warnings come amidst escalating tensions in regional maritime passages, with mounting fears that any direct threat to US military units could broaden the scope of the confrontation between the US and Iran.