US and Iran trade retaliatory attacks on ships as conflict flares

The United States and Iran exchanged retaliatory strikes on maritime vessels over the weekend, marking an escalation after a brief period of reduced tensions in their six-month conflict. American forces disabled or destroyed three Iranian oil tankers after Iranian forces targeted US warships, prompting Iran to respond by attacking six additional vessels including US-affiliated ships and tankers using unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks occurred despite President Trump previously characterizing the conflict as minor, though he has not commented on the latest escalation.