US Strikes Back with Airstrikes Against Iranian Oil Tankers

US military forces conducted airstrikes on three Iranian oil tankers on September 5, 2026, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships in regional waters.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that '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.'

The US military targeted the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, as well as 'completely destroyed' the unladen M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman.