Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Sep 5: US forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers on Saturday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships, marking a fresh escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian missile attacks and that no US personnel were injured.
In response, US forces targeted three Iranian oil carriers. CENTCOM said the vessels were part of what it described as a multibillion-dollar network used to support the IRGC and its regional proxies.
The targeted vessels were the M/T Downy, which was struck off the coast of Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1, targeted near Jask, and the M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, which was struck in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM said the Downy and Stark 1 were permanently disabled, while the unladen Kylo was completely destroyed after US forces struck it at several critical points. The crew of the Kylo was reportedly directed to abandon the vessel before the strike.
US Central Command commander Adm Brad Cooper said the strikes were intended to impose a higher economic cost on Iran following the missile attacks on American warships.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear,” Cooper said, warning that the United States would continue to defend its forces and could target Iran’s oil fleet if attacks continued.
The latest exchange represents another escalation in a conflict that has increasingly centred on maritime security and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is one of the world's most important energy corridors, with a significant share of global oil shipments normally passing through it. Increased military activity and attacks on vessels have already disrupted commercial shipping and raised concerns over energy supplies and freight costs.
Kharg Island, where one of the tankers was struck, is particularly important to Iran because it is a major crude oil export hub. Reuters reported that the island previously handled the vast majority of Iran’s crude exports.
The United States has intensified military operations around the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, saying Iranian forces have threatened commercial shipping and American personnel operating in the region.
US forces have previously struck Iranian military positions and maritime capabilities along the southern coast. CENTCOM has said its operations have targeted air-defence systems, radar installations, mine-laying capabilities, communications facilities and other assets associated with the IRGC.
Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against US-linked targets in the region. Tehran has also repeatedly warned that it could restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian oil exports are blocked.
The latest tanker strikes come amid growing concern among shipping operators and energy traders over the security of vessels travelling through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier reports indicated that several commercial vessels had been attacked in and around the waterway, increasing pressure on shipping companies and contributing to volatility in global oil markets. US officials have said their military presence is intended to protect navigation and keep the waterway open for commercial traffic.
The United States has also been enforcing a naval blockade targeting Iranian oil shipments. CENTCOM previously said its forces had disabled vessels accused of violating the blockade and had redirected commercial ships to ensure compliance.
The latest confrontation has raised concerns about the possibility of a wider regional escalation. With military strikes now involving naval vessels, oil tankers and strategic maritime infrastructure, another attack could trigger further retaliation.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains the main focus of the confrontation, with any disruption to navigation threatening to further affect global oil supplies, shipping costs and fuel prices.
The United States has warned that it will continue defending its forces and maritime interests, while Iran has vowed to respond to what it describes as American aggression. The latest strikes indicate that the confrontation is moving increasingly towards the maritime and energy sectors, raising the stakes for both countries and the global economy.