US CENTCOM Says It Struck Three Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Attacked Navy Ships

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday said it had struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships operating 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 US military said in a statement.

CENTCOM said the two targeted warships successfully evaded the multiple Iranian missile attacks and described the strikes as “unprovoked”. No US personnel were injured, it added.

‘We will impose an even higher cost’: CENTCOM warns IRGC

Following the strikes, CENTCOM issued a stern warning to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

“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,” US Admiral and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said.

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

CENTCOM said its forces had “permanently disabled” two Iranian crude oil carriers — M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask.

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

The US military alleged that the three Iranian tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.

“Iran has no means by which to defend them,” CENTCOM said.