US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Response to Missile Launch
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that it carried out strikes on three Iranian oil tankers, in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launching ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, its forces permanently disabled the IRGC-linked crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. The unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM described the three Iranian oil tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. The US military warned that it would not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.