U.S. Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attacks on Navy Warships

U.S. forces have taken action against three Iranian oil tankers in response to what they describe as multiple ballistic missile attacks against two American warships operating in regional waters.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the strikes targeted vessels connected to a multibillion-dollar oil-smuggling network used to finance Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its regional proxy organizations.

According to CENTCOM, an American aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded the incoming missiles launched by Iran. No American personnel were injured in the attacks.

The strikes targeted three vessels: the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island, home to Iran's principal crude export terminal; the M/T Stark 1 near the Iranian port of Jask; and the M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, which was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.