US-Iran war: US forces ‘permanently disable’ 3 IRGC-linked oil tankers after Tehran attacks | Today’s news
The US military said on Saturday it had destroyed three oil tankers allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after what it described as attacks by Iranian forces on US warships.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on X that Iranian vessels had been “permanently disabled” near the Iranian coast.
“Following the failed Iranian attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC oil tankers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
The command said another tanker, which was not carrying any cargo, was targeted in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was hit at several critical points after its crew was ordered to abandon ship.
“US forces also completely destroyed the unloaded M/T Kylo… in the Gulf of Oman, hitting the vessel in several critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was ordered to abandon ship,” he added.
What does the CENTCOM video show?
Video released by CENTCOM showed massive fireballs and thick flames erupting from the vessels after the projectiles hit them.
CENTCOM said the three targeted ships were connected to a multi-billion dollar network allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxy groups.
The three targeted ships were “part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies,” it said.
The US military has also argued that Iran lacks the ability to protect vessels.
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“Iran has no means to defend them,” it added.
CENTCOM said no US military personnel were injured after a US destroyer and aircraft carrier evaded several attacks launched by Iran.
CENTCOM Commander’s ‘Clear Message’ to IRGC
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper has warned that the US will impose higher economic costs on the IRGC after attacks on US vessels.
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“Let the IRGC’s message be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will incur an even greater economic cost — we will knock out three of yours. We will not hesitate to defend American forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” Cooper said.
Tensions between the US and Iran
The latest strikes come as Washington seeks to exert increasing economic pressure on Iran, including through a blockade of its ports, while continuing to signal that military action remains an option.
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Meanwhile, Iran has suspended commercial shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and warned vessels that they cannot pass through the waterway without its permission.
The attacks came about a week after the US and Iran resumed hostilities following a month-long period of relative calm in the intermittent conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28. After the breakdown of diplomatic talks, both sides continued to target each other with military and economic measures.
The US and Iran traded blows earlier this week. Washington said its operations were aimed at weakening the IRGC’s ability to threaten commercial shipping, while Tehran launched attacks against US military bases in neighboring Jordan.
Iran conflict
