US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attack
US forces launched airstrikes on three Iranian oil tankers in response to an attempted missile attack on US Navy ships patrolling regional waters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles towards two US warships, but they were evaded with no American personnel injured.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that if the IRGC fires at US ships, there will be an even higher economic cost imposed on them. He added that the US will not hesitate to defend its forces and destroy Iran's oil fleet if necessary.
The M/T Downy was permanently disabled near Kharg Island, while the M/T Stark 1 was also disabled near Jask. The unladen tanker M/T Kylo (also known as Noxen) in the Gulf of Oman was completely destroyed. These vessels were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network financing IRGC and its regional proxies.
The strikes marked another escalation in the conflict between the US and Tehran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television initially reported that four US missiles struck a tanker near Kharg Island, but there was no immediate response from Iranian authorities to CENTCOM's announcement.