The United States has struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships, marking a fresh escalation in the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The US Central Command said on Saturday that an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple attacks while operating in regional waters. No US personnel were injured in the incident.
In response, US forces disabled two Iranian tankers and destroyed another vessel. The M/T Downy was targeted off Kharg Island, while the M/T Stark 1 was struck near Jask. The third tanker, the M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon the vessel.
CENTCOM said the vessels were linked to what it described as a multibillion-dollar shadow network that helps generate revenue for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its regional allies.
The US military warned that further attacks on American forces could result in additional action against Iran’s oil fleet. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said Washington would respond with greater economic costs if Iranian forces continued targeting US ships.
Iran, however, condemned the American strikes and threatened a stronger response if Washington continued interfering with Iranian shipping. Iranian state media also reported claims of attacks against American vessels, although some of those claims could not be independently verified.
The latest exchange comes amid months of fighting between the two countries and renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments.
The confrontation has already raised concerns over the security of international shipping and the potential impact on global energy markets. Analysts have warned that further attacks involving oil tankers or military vessels could deepen disruption in the region.
The latest strikes also come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain strained, leaving the region facing the possibility of further military escalation.
