‘Joining Iran’s Navy on the Seafloor’: CENTCOM Says US Sank Iranian Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

“Joining Iran’s navy on the seafloor” was how US Central Command described the fate of the Iranian oil tanker M/T Kylo after American forces sank it in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday.

CENTCOM announced the sinking in a post on X, attributing it to what it called the precision and professionalism of US service members. The strike followed attacks on three other Iranian tankers earlier that day, including one off Kharg Island, as part of a continuing US naval and economic blockade against Iran.

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Joining Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea

CENTCOM said the tanker strikes responded to ballistic missile launches by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against two US Navy ships. Its chief, Adm. Brad Cooper, issued a direct warning: “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.”

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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.

Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim reported that four US missiles hit a tanker at Kharg’s anchorage. Citing local sources, it said there were no casualties and that the crew was being evacuated. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also warned Iran on X: “If Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at the US Navy.”

The exchange came after an escalation during the previous week. The article said the conflict had continued since US strikes on Iran began in February, disrupting global energy supplies and facing opposition from most Americans ahead of congressional elections in November.

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If Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at the US Navy.