US strikes two Iranian tankers as CENTCOM responds to wedding casualty reports

WASHINGTON, Sep 2:  The US military struck two Iranian government-owned tankers during attacks on Iran on Tuesday, while US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it was aware of Iranian reports that a separate strike near Sirik hit an area close to a wedding ceremony, according to Axios.

US officials told Axios that the tanker strikes were carried out under a new “tanker for tanker” policy approved by President Donald Trump, aimed at deterring Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The two tankers were reportedly anchored off Iran’s coast, north of the US naval blockade line, when US drones fired missiles that struck their engine rooms, according to the report. Axios said the strikes marked the first time the US military had targeted Iranian tankers in retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than as part of efforts to enforce the naval blockade.

US officials said approximately 100 targets were struck during Tuesday’s operations, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air-defense positions, radar systems, mine-laying capabilities, communications sites, anti-ship cruise missile launchers and attack-drone launchers.

Separately, CENTCOM responded to reports from Iranian state media that a US strike had hit a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak, near Sirik, in southern Iran.

“We’re aware of the reports, which originated from Iranian state media,” CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins told Axios, adding that the US military “never targets civilians.”

Iranian reports said a telecommunications tower in the Kuhestak area had been targeted, with casualties reported among people attending a nearby wedding.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the United States of striking a residential home during a wedding and said Iran would respond “with firmness.”

Iranian state television reported that at least four people were killed and 35 seriously injured in the reported strike near Sirik. The casualty claims have not been independently verified.