US Destroys Five Iranian Tankers in Response to Missile Attacks
US forces have launched a military response against Iranian tankers in retaliation for missile attacks on a US Navy warship. The Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers, including M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman as well as M/T Derya near Kharg Island.
According to CENTCOM, American forces directed the crews to abandon ship before striking the vessels and rendering them inoperable. This action was taken after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles on two occasions over two days.
The move marks an escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, which have been heightened since the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last year. The IRGC's recent attacks on the US warship were seen as a significant provocation, prompting the US to take decisive action.
The CENTCOM statement emphasized that the US took steps to ensure the safety of the crew members and civilians before destroying the tankers.