US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers Following Missile Attacks on Navy Warships

The US military has confirmed it struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two American Navy warships in the Gulf of Oman. According to US Central Command (Centcom), the strikes involved permanently disabling one tanker near Kharg Island and another near Jask, while a third tanker was completely destroyed.

Centcom stated that the actions were a direct response to Iranian aggression, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasizing that the US would retaliate against Iranian attacks on its ships. Iranian state media acknowledged the strikes, reporting no casualties and indicating that the cooling system of the tanker near Kharg Island managed to extinguish the fire within an hour.

The crews of the two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman were rescued and brought to shore. One of the tankers was reported to be empty, while the other was carrying oil.

Centcom claimed that the targeted tankers were part of a broader network supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional activities. The strikes occurred nearly a week after renewed hostilities between the US and Iran, following a period of relative calm.

In a statement, Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom's commander, reiterated the US commitment to defending its forces and warned of increased economic costs for Iran in response to its military actions. The situation remains tense, with the US having resumed military operations in the region after a ceasefire expired last month.