U.S. forces destroyed three Iranian crude oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, an action described by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as retaliation for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships. The strikes occurred near Kharg Island, a major oil export point for Iran.
CENTCOM stated that the destroyed tankers were part of a financial network supporting the IRGC and its regional proxies. "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," said Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander.
Video obtained by Iran International captured U.S. military personnel issuing a warning over radio to an Iranian oil tanker before a series of missiles struck the vessel, causing it to ignite. The warning stated, "You have three minutes to clear the crew," followed by instructions to "Get into your lifeboats and abandon the ship immediately."
Four missiles reportedly hit one tanker anchored near Kharg Island, with two other vessels struck in the Gulf of Oman. The incident marks an intensification of hostilities between the two nations in the region.