US strikes 3 Iranian oil tankers; Iran warns of larger attack

The direct targeting of Iranian oil tankers marks a notable shift from proxy engagements to kinetic strikes on energy infrastructure, which could tighten physical supply flows through a critical chokepoint. The warning to shipping lanes signals that commercial traffic faces heightened operational risk, potentially affecting freight rates and insurance premiums for Gulf routes. With the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, the open question is whether this becomes a sustained campaign or a contained exchange, as further escalation could disrupt broader regional energy logistics beyond the vessels already hit.