US Sinks Iranian Oil Carrier in Escalating Gulf Conflict
US forces have struck three Iranian crude oil carriers in response to ballistic missile attacks on two US Navy warships, sinking one and disabling the others. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles towards the American ships patrolling regional waters.
No American personnel were harmed during the attack. CENTCOM confirmed that the M/T Kylo was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after being struck multiple times to render it inoperable, while the crew abandoned ship.
The IRGC's crude oil carriers, including the M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1, were permanently disabled by US forces off the coast of Kharg Island and Jask. The vessels are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, stated: 'Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.'