Iran cries 'war crime' after US strikes 3 oil tankers, warns Washington over further escalation
TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran, on Saturday, September 5, sharply condemned the US strikes on three Iranian oil tankers, calling the attacks a “war crime” and warning Washington and its allies that they could face consequences if military action continues.
Tehran’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes amounted to an attack on Iran’s sovereignty and international maritime security, escalating tensions after the US military targeted Iranian commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned US attacks on Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman as a “war crime,” warning that Washington and its allies would bear responsibility for the consequences of any continued attacks.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) September 5, 2026
In a statement, the ministry…
Tehran accuses US of 'war crimes'
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of violating international law and specifically cited Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against another state.
In its statement, the ministry portrayed the tanker attacks as part of a wider American campaign against Iran, alleging that Washington was combining military pressure with what Tehran described as a naval blockade and economic warfare.
Iranian officials also argued that attacks on commercial shipping could endanger maritime traffic beyond the immediate confrontation.
The ministry said the strikes represented “a clear threat to international peace and the security of commercial navigation.”
Tehran further declared that it would defend what it described as its sovereignty and national interests against American military action, which it labeled “state aggression.”
Iran’s latest statement stopped short of detailing what specific action it might take in response to further US attacks.
Instead, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that Tehran considers itself entitled to defend its sovereignty and national interests.
It’s simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 5, 2026
Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all, in @CENTCOM & @USPACOM. https://t.co/lr5TaxloBw
Pete Hegseth warns Iran against attacking US ships
The Iranian statement came after US forces attacked three Iranian crude oil carriers in waters surrounding the region.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a blunt warning after the strikes about what Washington would do if Iran attacked American vessels.
“It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy and sink their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at US Navy,” Hegseth said.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” — Adm. Brad Cooper,… pic.twitter.com/UGGcSGsUtd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 5, 2026
He added that Iran had no force and was vulnerable to attacks from American military forces.
The confrontation has placed Iranian oil shipments at the center of an increasingly direct military standoff between Tehran and Washington.
With Washington maintaining that attacks on American forces would trigger a forceful response and Tehran warning of consequences for continued US military operations, the dispute over Iranian oil tankers has emerged as another potentially dangerous front in the escalating US-Iran confrontation.
