US Military Disables Three Iranian Oil Tankers Following Missile Attacks on Warships

The United States military announced it has targeted three Iran-linked oil tankers in response to ballistic missiles launched at two American warships in the region. US Central Command (Centcom) stated on Saturday that its forces successfully evaded multiple attacks from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aimed at a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer, with no American casualties reported.

According to Centcom, military action resulted in two tankers being "permanently disabled"—one near Kharg Island and another near the Strait of Hormuz—while a third vessel was "completely destroyed" in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian state media previously reported that a tanker had been hit off the coast of Kharg Island, though Tehran did not immediately acknowledge any strikes against US vessels.

US Military Response and Escalating Tension

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of Centcom, issued a statement warning the IRGC against further aggression. Cooper stated that if Iranian forces shoot at US ships, higher economic costs will be imposed, adding that the military will defend American forces and destroy Iran's oil fleet if necessary. Centcom claimed the three targeted vessels belonged to a multibillion-dollar shadow network used to finance the IRGC and its proxies across the region.

The latest military engagements mark a resurgence in direct exchanges between the US and Iran following a period of relative calm. A 60-day ceasefire between the two nations expired last month without a diplomatic agreement. Following its expiration, US President Donald Trump announced plans to implement stricter economic measures against Iran and any nations conducting business with it.

Broader Context of the Conflict

Military hostilities initially escalated on February 28 when the US and Israel launched broad strikes on Iran. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel, US military bases, and allied nations in the Gulf, while effectively halting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption in the strait has driven up global energy prices, increasing economic pressure on American consumers ahead of the US midterm elections in November.

In a separate development earlier in the week, US Vice-President JD Vance confirmed that the military is reviewing allegations regarding an American strike in southern Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that missile shrapnel struck a wedding ceremony at a residence in Sirik on Tuesday, killing at least four people, including two children. Tehran denounced the incident as a "war crime," while US officials denied intentionally targeting civilians.