US military strikes three Iranian oil tankers after missile attacks

The United States military launched a series of airstrikes against three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, a response to ballistic missile attacks that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described as “unprovoked” and aimed at American naval warships in the Persian Gulf.

The missile barrage began when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired multiple ballistic missiles at a U.S. Aircraft carrier and a guided‑missile destroyer that were patrolling the waters near the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said the U.S. Vessels successfully evaded the attacks and that no American personnel were injured.

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In retaliation, U.S. Forces struck the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and the unladen M/T Kylo (also known as the “Noxen”) in the Gulf of Oman. The first two tankers were permanently disabled, while the third was completely destroyed after the crew abandoned ship. The U.S. Said the vessels were part of a shadow network that finances the IRGC and its regional proxies.

“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,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

“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.”

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, said in a statement.

“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, said in a statement.

The strikes are part of a broader conflict that began with U.S. And Israeli attacks on Iranian targets on 28 February. After a month of relative calm, hostilities resumed last Sunday when U.S. Forces carried out strikes on Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz and on IRGC minelaying forces that posed an imminent threat to shipping lanes. Iran responded by launching anti‑ship missiles against vessels in the same waterway.

Iranian state media reported explosions near Kharg Island on Saturday, a key terminal for the country’s oil exports. The reports said a tanker had been struck by U.S. Missiles close to the island, though no casualties were reported at the time. The U.S. Central Command released video footage of the strikes, showing the tankers ablaze and the crews abandoning ship.

In a separate statement, a U.S. Official told Fox News that the IRGC “can’t build more tankers, which are at the heart of Iran’s economy.” The comment underscored the strategic value of the oil fleet to Tehran’s financial and logistical network.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are intensifying. The United States, Britain, France and Germany have drafted a resolution for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for persistent non‑compliance with its nuclear non‑proliferation obligations. The draft resolution is still under negotiation and has not yet been formally submitted, but it is expected to be voted on at the upcoming Vienna meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

“We are monitoring daily oil throughput via the Strait of Hormuz and alternative Saudi pipeline routes as regular gasoline and diesel prices reach record highs for the holiday weekend,” Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council Director, told Fox News Channel. “I get an update, just so you know, because the president wants us watching this every day, I get an update every morning about how much oil is making it through the straits, how much oil is going.”

“I get an update, just so you know, because the president wants us watching this every day, I get an update every morning about how much oil is making it through the straits, how much oil is going.”

Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council Director, told Fox News Channel.

The U.S. Also announced a $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits and other equipment to Saudi Arabia, a move that could strengthen the kingdom’s airborne defense capability against regional threats. The sale is part of a broader U.S. Strategy to counter Iranian influence in the Gulf.

As the conflict escalates, international observers will focus on the next IAEA meeting in Vienna, where the resolution could be voted on. The U.S. And its allies will also monitor Tehran’s potential retaliatory actions against the damaged oil fleet, as well as the broader implications for shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Vessel Name	Location	Status / Outcome
M/T Downy	Off the coast of Kharg Island	Permanently disabled by U.S. Strikes
M/T Stark 1	Near Jask	Permanently disabled by U.S. Strikes
M/T Kylo (Noxen)	Gulf of Oman	Completely destroyed after crew abandoned ship