Just two hours ago, a Russian Su-35S fighter jet launched a surprise missile strike on an American commercial cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea, destroying the ship and its 3,500 tons of vital fuel supplies destined for U.S. and allied forces supporting Operation Epic Fury. The brazen attack marks Russia’s most direct involvement yet in the Iran War — and it has triggered an immediate, ferocious American response.

The vessel, operating under standard commercial routing to support Gulf operations, was struck by advanced air-to-surface missiles fired from the Russian jet operating out of Iranian airspace. Flames engulfed the ship, sending thick black smoke into the sky as rescue efforts are now underway for the crew.