Iran has warned the United States that it will face a “more painful” response to any further attacks, saying Washington must recognise that the “rules” of its war with Tehran have changed. The warning came on Sunday, a day after US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf following missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two US Navy warships, according to Reuters.
Iran also said it had targeted three oil tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorised route, along with several ships linked to the US, Bloomberg reported.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US should understand the change in Tehran’s approach “before it is too late”. The claims came a day after CENTCOM said it had struck three Iranian oil tankers. The US military said the strikes followed missile attacks by the IRGC “toward two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters”. CENTCOM said the American vessels had “successfully evaded” the attacks and described the Iranian strikes as “unprovoked”. US Admiral and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said the IRGC would face a “higher economic cost”.
It added that no US personnel were injured. Washington also issued a fresh warning to Iran following the strikes.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” Cooper said. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched Operation Economic Outcast, aimed at cutting what it describes as “critical financial lifelines” supporting Iran’s economy.
