US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Carriers Amid Ongoing Conflict
The US and Iran have exchanged fire for the third time in a week, with American forces striking three Iranian crude oil carriers on September 5. This escalation comes amid a recent increase in fighting between the two nations, despite the White House downplaying the severity of the conflict.
No American personnel were injured during the incident, according to US Central Command. The vessels targeted by the US were permanently disabled off Kharg Island and near the Iranian coastal city of Jask.
The strikes come just a day after President Donald Trump described the war in Iran as 'small potatoes' and 'not a big thing.' Vice President JD Vance also recently pushed back on using the term 'war' to describe a conflict that has killed 18 US service members and resulted in nearly 800 injuries over more than six months.
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said, '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.'