Manama: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces attacked three Iranian crude oil tankers today, following the launch of ballistic missiles by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) towards two US Navy warships patrolling territorial waters.

According to Qatar News Agency, CENTCOM revealed on the social media platform X that a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded the Iranian attacks. The command confirmed that no US personnel were injured during the incident.

The statement further detailed that US Central Command permanently disabled two IRGC-linked crude oil tankers, the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. Additionally, US forces completely destroyed the empty crude oil tanker M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was targeted at several vital points to render it inoperable after its crew had been instructed to abandon ship.

The tankers were identified as part of a secretive network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies, with the statement noting that Iran had no means of defending the vessels. CENTCOM commander, Rear Admiral Brad Cooper, emphasized the message to the IRGC, stating that firing on US ships would result in significant economic repercussions by targeting Iran's oil fleet. He affirmed the US's commitment to defending its forces and, if necessary, destroying Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.