US Strikes Back at Iranian Oil Tankers in Daring Counterattack
US forces launched a counterattack against three Iranian oil tankers in response to an earlier missile attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC had fired ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships, but they successfully evaded the attacks without any casualties. In retaliation, American aircraft destroyed the crude oil carriers M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1, while completely destroying the unladen vessel M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman.
The CENTCOM commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, stated that the ships were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. The US official noted that the IRGC cannot build more tankers, which are crucial to Iran's economy, putting them in a tougher position.
Adm. Cooper warned the IRGC that if they shoot at US ships, there will be an even higher economic cost, and the US will not hesitate to defend its forces. The moves put significant pressure on Iran's limited oil fleet, which is vital to their economy.