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The United States has struck three Iranian crude oil carriers in a direct retaliation for a ballistic missile attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two US Navy warships in regional waters.
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US Central Command said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks, with no US service member injured. Washington subsequently targeted three tankers linked to Iran’s oil trade.
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One of the vessels was disabled off Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude oil export terminal, while another was disabled near Jask. A third, unladen tanker in the Gulf of Oman, was destroyed, according to CENTCOM.
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The latest tit-for-tat strikes have sharply raised fears of a broader confrontation around the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with the US warning that Iran’s exposed oil fleet could face further attacks.
September 05, (THEWILL) — The military confrontation between the United States and Iran escalated dramatically on Saturday after Washington struck three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two US Navy warships operating in regional waters.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck the three crude oil carriers after an Iranian aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer came under multiple attacks.
According to CENTCOM, the two American warships successfully evaded the Iranian missiles and no US personnel were injured.
The American response, however, shifted the confrontation from naval combat to Iran’s oil lifeline, with the US military targeting three tankers it said were part of a network supporting the IRGC and its regional proxies.
CENTCOM said one tanker was permanently disabled off the coast of Kharg Island, another was disabled near Jask, while a third vessel was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.
The strikes represented a significant escalation because Kharg Island hosts Iran’s principal crude oil export terminal and has long been central to the country’s ability to generate foreign revenue from oil exports.
US Central Command Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, made clear that Washington regarded the tanker strikes as a deliberate economic response to the Iranian military action.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said.
Iranian Missiles Trigger US Response
The latest confrontation began with what CENTCOM described as an Iranian ballistic missile attack directed at two US Navy warships.
The American military said the vessels were able to evade the incoming attacks, preventing casualties or damage to the ships.
Rather than limiting its response to Iranian military positions, Washington moved against three oil carriers, signalling that Iran’s ability to finance its military operations could itself become a target.
CENTCOM said the tankers were associated with a multibillion-dollar “shadow” network allegedly used to generate revenue for the IRGC and regional armed groups supported by Tehran.
The United States has increasingly targeted Iranian shipping and oil-related activities as part of its effort to restrict Tehran’s ability to fund military operations and project power across the Middle East.
Tankers Hit Near Strategic Oil Hub
One of the most significant strikes occurred off Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf and home to Iran’s main crude oil export terminal.
US officials said the tanker there was permanently disabled.
Iranian media also reported that a tanker near Kharg Island was hit by US fire. Iranian reports said several projectiles struck the vessel and that the crew was evacuated, with no casualties reported.
Another tanker was struck near Jask, on Iran’s southern coast.
The third vessel, described by CENTCOM as unladen, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman and destroyed after being struck multiple times.
The geographical spread of the attacks (from the waters near Kharg Island to Jask and the Gulf of Oman) highlighted the expanding maritime dimension of the conflict.
Kharg Island is particularly sensitive because disruption around the terminal could have consequences for Iran’s already weakened oil exports and potentially add pressure to international energy markets.
Washington warned that Iran’s oil fleet could face further destruction if Tehran continued attacking American or other vessels.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
