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The United States (US) has destroyed three Iranian oil tankers after attempted missile attacks on naval vessels, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have targeted US-linked ships in response.
US Central Command said Saturday that the three tankers were linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask,” it said.
CENTCOM said American forces also destroyed the empty M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman after ordering its crew to abandon the vessel.
The command said the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar network funding the IRGC and its regional allies.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed its forces had attacked an American aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles.
The Guards said the US warships were “forced to retreat” after suffering damage, but CENTCOM said the vessels successfully avoided the attacks.
Following the US strikes, Iran said it had targeted three oil tankers using unauthorised routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US action as “illegal and aggressive actions.”
Iranian state television reported that crews from two of the targeted tankers reached shore in lifeboats, while another report said there were no casualties on Kharg Island.
Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya central military command warned that retaliation against US warships would be “more severe than before” if Washington continued its attacks.
The latest clashes come during a six-month conflict that has severely disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway previously carried about one-fifth of global oil supplies, while Iran has maintained shipping restrictions despite US efforts to break its control.
US Vice President JD Vance has said he “wouldn’t call it a war,” while President Donald Trump described the conflict on Friday as “small potatoes” for the United States.
Vance also said Thursday that Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz is “effectively gone.”
Washington has also intensified economic pressure on Tehran, with the US Treasury imposing new sanctions on entities accused of links to the IRGC.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the strategy as the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran.
