The US military struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the warships successfully evaded the attacks and no American personnel were harmed. The strikes targeted the M/T Downy off Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and completely destroyed the M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, which was unladen and had its crew evacuated prior to the attack.
CENTCOM characterized the tankers as part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” funding the IRGC and its regional proxies, with Admiral Brad Cooper stating, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours.” The strikes follow a period of renewed conflict after six months of relative calm, beginning with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and Iran’s subsequent attacks on Israel, US bases, and allied states.
Iranian state media reported a tanker near Kharg Island was struck, while President Donald Trump downplayed the conflict as “small potatoes.” The conflict has raised global energy prices and disrupted Iran’s oil exports, with the Strait of Hormuz becoming a key flashpoint. Kharg Island, critical to Iran’s oil industry, was previously targeted in March, though its oil infrastructure was spared at that time.
Reports indicate the M/T Kylo was not carrying oil at the time of the strike. The US military has been guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz as Iran asserts control over the waterway, leading to low traffic volume. Negotiations for a war-ending deal, based on a memorandum of understanding signed in June, have stalled. The resumption of fighting coincides with new US economic pressures on Tehran and its new senior leaders.
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