U.S. Strikes Disable Iranian Oil Tankers
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that two Iranian oil tankers had been disabled due to airstrikes, with a third tanker described as “completely destroyed.” The attacks took place near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil loading facility, confirming earlier reports of explosions in the area from Iranian state media.
CENTCOM explained that these strikes were a direct reaction to attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been labeled a terrorist organization. The IRGC had fired ballistic missiles at U.S. Navy warships operating in “regional waters.”
A U.S. aircraft carrier along with a guided-missile destroyer managed to avoid several missile attacks from Iran, and fortunately, there were no injuries to American personnel.
The U.S. forces have “permanently disabled” two Iranian ships: MT Downy, situated off Kharg Island, and MT Stark 1, which was hit near the Iranian city of Jask. Additionally, the oil carrier MT Kylo was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM mentioned that the Kylo, also known as MT Noxen, was hit in “multiple critical locations to make it inoperable,” after the crew was instructed to abandon the vessel.
The statement highlighted that these three oil tankers are part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” that supports the IRGC and its affiliates, emphasizing that Iran cannot effectively defend them. CENTCOM commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, made it clear that if Iran attacks U.S. ships, counteractions would involve higher economic penalties, notably targeting their vessels.
He also reassured that U.S. forces would not hesitate to defend themselves and, if required, eliminate Iran’s fragile oil fleet.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported hearing explosions near Kharg Island, indicating that the Downy was hit by multiple missiles. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from these strikes.
Currently, the U.S. has two aircraft carriers deployed in the area: the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS George Washington, which took over from the USS Abraham Lincoln two weeks ago. The George Washington is said to be accompanied by just one destroyer at this time, raising speculation they could have been the targets of the missile attacks by Iran.
