US Strikes Three Iranian Crude Oil Tankers
US forces have struck three Iranian crude oil tankers in retaliation for an attack on American warships, according to the US Central Command. The strikes targeted two tankers near Iran's key export hub of Kharg Island and destroyed a third in the Gulf of Oman.
The CENTCOM confirmed that the US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks before retaliating. The IRGC-linked tanker M/T Downy was permanently disabled off Kharg Island, while another tanker, M/T Stark 1, near Jask, was also disabled.
A third tanker, M/T Kylo, also known as the 'Noxen', was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon ship. The US military aircraft issued repeated warnings to the vessel before the strike, telling the crew to get into lifeboats and abandon ship immediately.