US forces have struck and destroyed three Iranian crude oil tankers in retaliation after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at an American aircraft carrier and destroyer in the Strait of Hormuz region, US Central Command confirmed on Saturday.
CENTCOM said two of the Iranian tankers were “permanently disabled” and a third was “completely destroyed.” Neither of the US warships was hit and no American service members were injured. The fact that an aircraft carrier was targeted in the Iranian attack, however, represents one of the most significant direct provocations of the war so far.
CENTCOM was unambiguous in its message.
“The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them,” the statement read.
Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, went further.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”
The exchange marks another sharp escalation in the conflict between the two countries. Iran has relied heavily on its shadow tanker network to bypass Western sanctions. As well as to continue exporting oil despite the US naval blockade of its ports.
Saturday’s strikes directly target that revenue stream. Iran has not yet responded publicly to the destruction of the three vessels.
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