‘Shoot at two, lose three’: US strikes Iranian oil tankers after IRGC attack

WASHINGTON: The United States has struck three Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships. CENTCOM said a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks and that no American personnel were harmed.

Following Iran’s failed attacks, US forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, according to CENTCOM. American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was directed to abandon the vessel.

CENTCOM said the three Iranian crude oil tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.
“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,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.
Cooper warned that the US would not hesitate to defend its forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran’s “limited and exposed oil fleet.”