U.S. Defense Secretary Threatens Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Economic Woes
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, following claims by the U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) regarding an alleged attack on three Iranian oil tankers, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper seized the opportunity to justify some of the economic difficulties within the country, attributing them to the repercussions of President Trump’s costly aggression against Iran. Esper issued a threat to Tehran, stating, “The issue is simple: if Iran shoots at American ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at the U.S. Navy.”
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, anticipating a significant defeat for his Republican party colleagues in the upcoming midterm congressional elections, attempted to rationalize his country’s setbacks despite the expenditure of tens of billions of dollars in its confrontation with Tehran. He further asserted that Iran’s fleet of oil tankers is defenseless, claiming Iran lacks a capable navy or air force. Esper stated that American aircraft, ships, and submarines can target all of them within the operational areas of CENTCOM and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USPACOM).
The Islamic Republic of Iran has previously emphasized that it will resolutely and powerfully target U.S. military bases and interests at any location that serves as the origin of aggression against Tehran, acting under the principle of legitimate defense.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post previously reported, citing informed sources, that a recent classified assessment warned that continued extensive operations in the Middle East pose a risk of weakening U.S. capabilities in other regions. According to this assessment, several senior U.S. military officials have advised Secretary of Defense Mark Esper that continued large-scale operations against Iran are unsustainable and increase the risk of undermining America’s ability to counter other threats, including those directed at U.S. territory. These warnings were reportedly conveyed to Esper by commanders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as four-star commanders overseeing U.S. operations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
