CENTCOM Says It Destroyed Three Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Targeted US Warships
US Central Command says three tankers linked to an IRGC-funded shadow network were disabled after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy vessels
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that its forces struck and disabled three Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships operating in regional waters.
CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out on Sept. 5 after an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks. No U.S. personnel were injured in the incident, according to the command.
Following what CENTCOM described as Iran’s failed attacks, U.S. forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask.
U.S. forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” in the Gulf of Oman, according to CENTCOM.
The command said the vessel was struck at multiple critical locations after its crew had been directed to abandon ship, rendering it inoperable.
CENTCOM said the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” that generates revenue for the IRGC and its regional proxies.
“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,” Cooper added.
The strikes came after Iranian media reported explosions near Kharg Island, home to Iran’s major oil export facilities, earlier on Saturday.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that its correspondent heard several explosions but said there was no visible smoke. The SNN news agency separately reported that an Iranian tanker had been targeted by the United States near the island.
The latest escalation follows the resumption of direct fighting between the United States and Iran last Sunday, as the conflict passed its six-month mark.
U.S. strikes on Iran have been followed by retaliatory Iranian attacks against American targets across the Middle East. Tehran said Thursday that its armed forces had struck U.S. military bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and vowed to retaliate for civilian deaths at a wedding that Iranian authorities blamed on Washington.
The two sides are also contesting control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iran has restricted the movement of ships through the waterway, while Washington maintains a counter-blockade targeting Iranian ports.
The latest confrontation further escalates pressure on Iran’s oil-export infrastructure and raises the stakes in the broader struggle over the Strait of Hormuz and regional maritime security.