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Iran Strikes Two Tankers for Ignoring Hormuz Directives; Pentagon Seeks $67bn Emergency War Funding; Israel Raids Cities Across West Bank

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said today that its forces struck two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via a route not authorized by Iranian authorities. Both vessels were subsequently detained.

According to the IRGC, the tankers were escorted by US military aircraft and ignored multiple Iranian warnings before being targeted earlier in the day. Four additional tankers changed course and returned to their points of origin shortly after the incident.

Following what it called CENTCOM’s “false statements” on Thursday night, the IRGC formally notified shipping and insurance companies to disregard the US command’s claims and instead investigate the fate of those “deceived” in the incidents.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has requested $67 billion in emergency funding for the current fiscal year to continue operations against Iran. This request includes $18.2 billion to replace advanced Patriot missiles, Navy Tomahawks, and the Army’s THAAD high-altitude interceptors, according to Bloomberg, citing documents submitted to Congress.

Separately, Israeli forces conducted widespread overnight raids across towns and cities in the occupied West Bank, storming homes and businesses and detaining Palestinians in what has become a nightly pattern of incursions Almaydeen reported.