Iran strikes tankers outside Hormuz in signs of expanding campaign

Iran's armed forces struck two commercial tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours this week, in what appeared to be a deliberate expansion of attacks beyond the strait, as Iranian officials issued a fresh wave of warnings against the United States. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said several projectiles hit the oil and chemical tanker Acers, flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal in Qatar on Wednesday. Casualties were reported. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard identified the vessel and said it was heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. It was the first attack in that area in more than six months.