US Destroys Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in response to recent attacks on a US warship. The vessels, M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco, were targeted in the Gulf of Oman as well as M/T Derya near Kharg Island.

The destruction came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to attack a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. CENTCOM stated that the US warship successfully evaded the Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters without any American personnel harmed.

Iran has been using these tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies, according to CENTCOM. The organization added that Iran lacks the means to defend these vessels.