The United States has destroyed three Iranian oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at American Navy warships.
This comes after two US Navy warships were patrolling regional waters when they were targeted by Iran on Saturday, according to Central Command.
An aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks, and no American personnel were harmed.
In retaliation, Iran’s two crude oil carriers, one off the island of Kharg and the other near Jask, were ‘permanently disabled’ by the American retaliatory strikes.
American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, hitting the vessel until the crew was directed to abandon ship.
‘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, CENTCOM commander.
‘We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.’
Iranian media reported no casualties resulting from the tanker strikes, and no U.S. personnel were injured during the initial attacks on the warships.
The ongoing maritime disruptions and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz have continued to put upward pressure on global oil prices and consumer fuel costs.
