Table of Contents
CENTCOM Strikes Following Naval Attack
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that its forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers in response to missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two American naval vessels in regional waters .
An American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded the Iranian missiles, and no U.S. personnel were harmed during the exchange .
Details of the Naval Operation
CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces “permanently disabled” the crude carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub, and M/T Stark 1 near Jask . American forces also “completely destroyed” the unladen crude carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” in the Gulf of Oman after ordering its crew to abandon ship .
Earlier, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that four U.S. missiles hit a tanker near Kharg Island. Sources cited no casualties, and the crew was being evacuated .
Economic Message from CENTCOM
“The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies,” CENTCOM stated . Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, warned: “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. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet” .
Trump’s Kharg Island Threat
The strikes followed President Donald Trump’s August 31 social media post featuring an AI-generated video showing Kharg Island being “blown to smithereens” .
Strategic Impact
Iran exported 90% of its crude via Kharg Island before the war . Flows have been disrupted since a U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April . Brent crude futures closed at $96.28 per barrel on Friday, their highest since July 24 .
