US CENTCOM destroys three Iranian tankers after IRGC attacks

US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces launched an attack on three Iranian crude oil tankers on September 5, following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships patrolling territorial waters.

According to an official statement posted on CENTCOM's X account, a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple, unprovoked Iranian attacks. No US personnel were injured.

CENTCOM added that after the failed Iranian attacks, US forces permanently disabled the IRGC-owned crude oil tankers M/T Downy off Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask.

US forces also completely destroyed the empty crude oil tanker M/T Kylo (also known as Noxen) in the Gulf of Oman, targeting several critical areas to render the vessel inoperable after instructing the crew to evacuate.

The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a secret multi-billion-dollar network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means to defend these vessels.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said: "Let the message to the IRGC be clear: if you fire on two of our ships, we will impose a far greater economic cost by destroying three of yours." He added, "We will not hesitate to defend US forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet."

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