US Central Command Chief Threatens to Destroy Iran's Oil Fleet Over Potential Attacks
The US Central Command Chief, Admiral Brad Cooper, has threatened to destroy Iran's oil fleet in response to potential attacks on American forces. This escalation comes as CENTCOM announced strikes targeting three Iranian crude oil tankers, which were linked to a multi-billion-dollar shadow network funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional proxies.
The US Navy warships had come under Iranian attacks earlier, prompting Cooper's warning that Washington will impose 'a much larger economic cost' on Iran if American ships are targeted. He emphasized that US forces will not hesitate to defend their personnel and interests in the region.
CENTCOM stated that two oil tankers belonging to the IRGC were permanently disabled, one off Kharg Island and the other near Jask, while a third crude oil tanker was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after hitting vital locations and evacuating its crew.