3 Iranian oil tankers struck by US after IRGC missile attacks on Navy warships: CENTCOM

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday that its forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships in regional waters.

“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters,” the American military said in a statement.

US says Navy ships evaded Iranian attacks

According to CENTCOM, the two targeted American warships “successfully evaded” multiple Iranian attacks. The command described the missile strikes as “unprovoked” and said no US personnel were injured.

The military said the subsequent action targeted three Iranian crude oil carriers.

CENTCOM warns of higher economic cost

US Admiral and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper issued a warning to the IRGC following the strikes.

“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,” Cooper said.

“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” he added.

Three oil carriers targeted

CENTCOM said the M/T Downy was “permanently disabled” off the coast of Kharg Island, while the M/T Stark 1 was similarly disabled near Jask.

The US military also said it “completely destroyed” an unladen oil carrier, M/T Kylo, in the Gulf of Oman. According to CENTCOM, the vessel was also known as the Noxen and was struck at “multiple critical locations to render it inoperable” after its crew was ordered to abandon the ship.

US links tankers to IRGC funding network

The US military alleged that the three tankers were connected to an Iranian shadow network that helps finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.

“The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them,” the US military said.