The US military says it has hit three Iran-linked oil tankers after ballistic missiles were launched towards two of its warships in the region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces on Saturday conducted strikes on three Iranian crude oil carriers, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. navy warships patrolling regional waters.
Two of the tankers were permanently disabled by the U.S. attacks, while the third was struck in multiple locations to render it inoperable after the crew was allowed to abandon the ship, the military explained in a statement that included a warning for Iran.
Specifically, CENTCOM stated that its forces permanently disabled two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ oil carriers off the coast of Kharg Island and near Jask, respectively.
It added that it completely destroyed an unladen crude oil carrier in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon the ship.
CENTCOM said it “successfully evaded” multiple Iranian attacks targeting a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer. No American personnel were harmed, it said in a statement.
The US military alleged the three crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.
Its statement added that Iran has no capability to defend the tanker fleet.
“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.”
In a post on X, CENTCOM claimed the third tanker sank in the Gulf of Oman and “joined Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea.”
The footage showed the vessel engulfed in flames before disappearing beneath the water.
