US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Strikes
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in response to attempted missile strikes on an American Navy warship. The incident occurred over a 48-hour period, with the IRGC targeting the US vessel twice.
CENTCOM stated that the targeted American warship successfully evaded both attacks and continued to patrol regional waters without sustaining any damage or personnel injuries.
The destroyed vessels include four crude oil carriers: M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco - in the Gulf of Oman, as well as a fifth vessel, the M/T Derya, near Kharg Island. US forces issued direct instructions commanding the crews to evacuate prior to the strikes.
CENTCOM emphasized that the targeted fleet operates as a primary financial mechanism for Tehran's security apparatus, identifying the vessels as 'part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.'