On Saturday, the United States Central Command reported that it had targeted three Iranian oil tankers. This action follows missile attacks launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two American Navy warships. The escalation highlights ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning maritime security and the protection of U.S. naval assets.
5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters,” the American military said in a statement. Sharing information on the strikes, the CENTCOM said it had “permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask.
The US CENTCOM said the targeted Navy warships had “successfully evaded” the multiple Iranian attacks, calling the strikes “unprovoked”. It said that no American personnel were harmed in the attack. “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,” US Admiral and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said. They said that the US military had also “completely destroyed” an unladen oil carrier, M/T Kylo, in the Gulf of Oman. The M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, was struck in “multiple critical locations to render it inoperable” after the crew members onboard were directed to abandon the ship, the CENTCOM stated.
“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. Following the strikes, US CENTCOM issued a warning to the IRGC.
US Military Highlights Iran’s Vulnerability Amid Oil Tanker Operations
The US military has stated that the three Iranian crude oil tankers are integral to a multibillion-dollar shadow network that finances the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional proxies. However, they emphasized that Iran lacks the capability to defend these vessels effectively.
