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U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships, marking another sharp escalation in the maritime conflict between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. Central Command said the Iranian missiles targeted an American aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer operating in regional waters. Both warships successfully evaded multiple attacks and no U.S. personnel were injured, according to CENTCOM.
The U.S. response targeted three crude oil tankers that CENTCOM described as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.
The M/T Downy was struck off Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, while the M/T Stark 1 was hit near Jask, along Iran's Gulf of Oman coast. CENTCOM said both vessels were "permanently disabled."
A third tanker, the M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM said the tanker was unladen and its crew was directed to abandon ship before U.S. forces struck the vessel in multiple locations.
Video released by CENTCOM showed strikes against all three vessels, including multiple explosions aboard the Kylo.
"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," CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.
"We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet."
They strikes come just days after CENTCOM carried out another round of strikes inside Iran. On September 1, U.S. forces targeted IRGC air-defense sites, radar systems, naval assets and facilities, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites. CENTCOM said those strikes followed Iranian attacks against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. personnel.
CENTCOM did not identify the U.S. aircraft carrier or destroyer targeted by Iran, nor did it immediately provide additional details about the ballistic missile attacks.
