US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday that its forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships in regional waters.
In a statement on X, CENTCOM said an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks, adding that no American personnel were injured.
According to the statement, US forces have permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. They also destroyed the unmanned vessel M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon ship.
CENTCOM said the ships were part of a “multi-billion dollar shadow network” that is allegedly used to fund the IRGC and its regional proxies.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot down two of our ships, we will impose an even greater economic cost – by destroying three of yours,” said CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
“We will not hesitate to protect American forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” he added.
Regional tensions have escalated since US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28, with Tehran responding with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US interests across the region.
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 regarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation has stalled due to disagreements over security arrangements in the strait.