US Hits Three Iranian Oil Tankers After Naval Clash

The United States military has struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships in the region, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the American warships, an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer, successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks and that no U.S. personnel were injured.

According to the U.S. military, two of the Iranian oil carriers were permanently disabled, while a third, which was unladen, was destroyed. The strikes reportedly took place near Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil-export hub, Jask, and in the Gulf of Oman.

U.S. officials said the targeted vessels were part of a shadow fleet allegedly used to generate revenue for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its regional armed allies. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper warned that the United States would continue to defend its forces and could take further action against Iran’s oil fleet.

Iranian state media separately reported that a tanker near Kharg Island had been hit by U.S. missiles and said its crew was being evacuated, with no casualties reported.

The latest strikes mark another escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with tensions particularly high around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments.