The United States has destroyed three Iranian oil carriers following ballistic missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on U.S. Navy warships. The retaliatory strikes, ordered by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), were a direct response to what CENTCOM described as unprovoked Iranian attacks on two U.S. Navy vessels patrolling regional waters.
According to CENTCOM, the two American warships successfully evaded the Iranian missile fire, and no U.S. personnel were harmed. In response, American forces disabled two Iranian crude oil carriers, one near Kharg Island and another near Jask. A third unladen crude oil carrier, identified as M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, was also destroyed by U.S. forces after its crew was directed to abandon ship.
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, issued a clear warning following the operation. "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," Cooper stated. "We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet."
This escalation comes amid a renewed phase of conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which began on February 28. The current engagement marks a shift back to direct confrontation after a period of fluctuating hostilities and collapsed negotiations, with both sides attempting to inflict military and economic damage.
Iranian state television had previously reported that four U.S. missiles struck a tanker approximately six miles from Kharg Island, a key terminal for the country's oil exports. Kharg Island has been a recurring target throughout the conflict. The strikes occurred nearly a week after a temporary lull in fighting, which followed President Donald Trump's characterization of the conflict as 'small potatoes'. The resumption of attacks coincided with the U.S. implementing new economic pressures on Tehran.
The U.S. military has been involved in escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway where Iran has asserted control and targeted shipping. Despite these efforts, overall maritime traffic has remained limited.
