The US military reports that it has either destroyed or disabled three Iranian oil tankers after Iran attacked American warships.
On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that the ships were affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The tankers comprised the M/T Downy, which was hit off the coast of Kharg Island, and the M/T Stark 1, hit near Jask, CENTCOM said. The targeting of a third ship, the M/T Kylo, took place in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM stated the Kylo was an unladen crude oil carrier, and that the U.S. forces hit the vessel at multiple locations after its crew had been ordered off the ship.
The U.S. military released footage of the strikes on the ships, with large flames and explosions seen.
The three tankers formed part of a “large network” to raise money for the IRGC and its regional allies, the US command reported.
According to CENTCOM, no Americans were injured in the incident. Washington had reported several attacks by Iran against a US destroyer and an aircraft carrier, but the navy said they were thwarted.
The strikes were aimed at putting an economic price on the IRGC after the attacks on US ships, said CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
“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. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” — Adm. Brad Cooper,… pic.twitter.com/UGGcSGsUtd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 5, 2026
Washington had been escalating tensions with Tehran, claiming it wants to limit Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping, in the latest strikes.
The conflict is also impacting the shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most prominent shipping lanes for oil transportation.
Iran has also blocked commercial traffic in the strategic waterway, stating that ships need its consent to navigate through the waterway, the report said.
In more recent days, the US and Iran have exchanged shots, and Washington has claimed that its military strikes are meant to “deter the IRGC’s efforts to strike commercial vessels,” while Tehran has shot at US military forces in the area.
The new tanker attacks mark another step-up in the escalation between the two countries.
