The US military struck three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships, escalating the growing confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American warships successfully evaded the attacks, with no US personnel injured. It said the tankers M/T Downy near Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask were “permanently disabled”, while the unladen M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon ship.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the strikes were intended to impose an economic cost on the IRGC and warned that Washington could target Iran’s oil fleet if American forces come under attack.
CENTCOM also alleged the tankers were part of a multi-billion-dollar “shadow network” funding the IRGC and its regional proxies.
The strikes come amid intensifying clashes around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy route through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass. Commercial shipping has declined sharply as attacks increase.
Iran has threatened further restrictions on oil shipments if its exports are blocked. The US has also targeted Iranian military sites and mine-laying capabilities near the strait, while Tehran has retaliated against US-linked positions across the region.
The escalating attacks have pushed up global energy prices and raised concerns over wider regional conflict and further disruption to oil supplies.
