The United States military has struck and disabled three Iranian crude oil carriers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships in regional waters.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed this on its X page on Saturday, saying the incident occurred earlier that day.
It added that a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks. No American personnel were injured.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces permanently disabled the crude oil carriers M/T Downy, off the coast of Kharg Island, and M/T Stark 1, near Jask.
The U.S. military also said it destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM said the vessel was struck at multiple critical locations after its crew had been directed to abandon ship, rendering it inoperable.
The command described the three tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar Iranian “shadow network” allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxy groups.
“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,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”
