US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for IRGC Attacks
The United States military has reportedly struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeting two US warships. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that the strikes were successful, with the tankers 'permanently disabled' or 'completely destroyed'.
CENTCOM stated that the three tankers, M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo (also known as Noxen), were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network funding the IRGC and its regional proxies. The US military claimed that Iran has no means to defend these vessels.
US Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if Iran attacks US Navy ships, the US will destroy Iranian oil tankers. He tweeted, 'It's simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers.'
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated, '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.'