In brief
U.S. Central Command announced on Saturday that it had permanently disabled three Iranian-linked oil tankers in response to ballistic missiles launched at two U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman. The strikes were aimed at protecting an aircraft carrier and a guided‑missile destroyer, both of which survived the attacks unharmed. No American service members were injured in the operation. The incident marks a sharp escalation in the volatile U.S.-Iran tensions after a brief lull, as Iran retaliated with attacks on Israeli, U.S. and allied facilities.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said on Saturday it had permanently disabled an oil tanker near Kharg Island and another near the Strait of Hormuz, while a third was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.
The strikes came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired several ballistic missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided‑missile destroyer. Centcom confirmed that the U.S. vessels evaded all attacks and that no American troops were harmed.
Iranian state media reported that one of its tankers had been struck off Kharg Island, a claim echoed by U.S. officials.
Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom commander, warned the IRGC that the U.S. “will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.”
This development follows a recent surge of violence that briefly paused after U.S. and Israel launched widespread strikes on Iran in February. Iran responded by attacking Israeli, U.S. bases and allied states in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to marine traffic.
Eyewitness accounts from the Gulf of Oman indicate the tankers were hit by heavy missiles, causing widespread damage, though precise details remain unconfirmed beyond U.S. statements.
