US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Following Alleged Attacks on Warships

The United States military disabled three Iranian-linked oil tankers on Saturday following alleged missile attacks aimed at American Navy warships in the Persian Gulf region. US Central Command stated its naval forces evaded incoming ballistic missiles before launching retaliatory strikes against the commercial vessels. The action marks a direct escalation targeting Iran’s maritime trade infrastructure amidst ongoing regional hostilities.

US defense officials warned that further attacks on American forces would bring immediate action against Iranian maritime commerce. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media that if Iranian forces target US ships, “we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers.” Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, stated that the military intended to “impose an even higher economic cost” following the attacks on American naval assets.

Details of the Naval Strikes

According to US Central Command, American strikes permanently disabled one tanker near Kharg Island and another near Jask in the Gulf of Oman, while completely destroying a third vessel in the Gulf of Oman. US officials stated that no American troops were injured during the Iranian missile salvo, which targeted a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. Central Command asserted that the targeted ships formed part of a multi-billion-dollar shadow network funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and regional allied groups.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB confirmed that US forces struck three oil tankers. Iranian media reported that an onboard cooling system extinguished a fire on the vessel near Kharg Island within an hour, reporting no casualties aboard that ship. The crews of the two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman were evacuated safely in lifeboats, with IRIB noting that one vessel was empty while the other was carrying crude oil. Iranian authorities did not immediately acknowledge launching missile attacks against the American warships.

Kharg Island, located 15 nautical miles (24 kilometers) off the Iranian coast, is vital to Iran’s economy. Pipeline infrastructure connects mainland facilities to the island’s export terminal, which handles approximately 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports.

Escalation After Expired Ceasefire

The maritime strikes follow a renewed wave of attacks over the past week, ending a brief period of reduced conflict. A 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran expired last month without a broader diplomatic settlement. Joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets began on February 28, drawing Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel, US bases, and neighboring Gulf states.

Hostilities resumed on Sunday when the US military destroyed two Iranian rocket launchers, claiming they were being prepared to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump characterized subsequent operations on Tuesday as a “very heavy attack,” while suggesting the renewed fighting would not last long. Iran responded by striking targets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

Iranian officials and the Iranian Red Crescent Society also stated that a US strike hit a wedding ceremony in Sirik on Tuesday, reporting that missile shrapnel killed at least four people, including two children. Iranian officials termed the incident a war crime. US Vice President JD Vance expressed that he was “extremely sceptical” regarding the claim, but confirmed that the US military would investigate the incident.

Background

The conflict has severely disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical bottleneck that historically carried approximately 20 percent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Iranian blockades and military actions in the waterway have pushed global energy prices higher.

Rising fuel costs have heightened political pressure inside the United States ahead of the November midterm elections. According to figures from the American Automobile Association, the national average price for diesel fuel rose to $5.85 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.71 per gallon a year earlier.