U.S. strikes three Iranian oil tankers near strategic Kharg Island

The United States says it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on American warships, marking the latest exchange in a conflict that resumed after a month of calm.

U.S. Central Command said the vessels were attacked off Kharg Island and in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. military said it permanently disabled the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. It said it completely destroyed the unloaded crude tanker M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman.

Centcom said the Kylo was struck at several critical points after its crew received an order to abandon ship. Images released by the command showed fireballs following missile impacts on the vessels. The military said no American personnel were injured.

The United States described the targets as part of a “multibillion-dollar clandestine network” financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its regional partners. Centcom commander Brad Cooper issued a direct warning: “If they fire on two of our ships, we will impose an even greater economic cost by eliminating three of theirs.”

Iranian media had earlier reported several explosions near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil hub. The island has been repeatedly attacked during the war, including a Centcom strike on military facilities in March. The fighting began on Feb. 28 with a U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran. After hostilities resumed on Aug. 30, Washington said it had renewed attacks to prevent the launch of rockets carrying naval mines into the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with attacks on neighboring Gulf states.

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If they fire on two of our ships, we will impose an even greater economic cost by eliminating three of theirs.