US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers After Warships Targeted by Missiles

The US military struck three Iran-linked oil tankers on Saturday, after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two American warships in the region. US Central Command (Centcom) said it had permanently disabled a tanker near Kharg Island and another near the Strait of Hormuz, while completely destroying a third vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Attacks and Retaliation

Centcom stated that it had successfully evaded multiple attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which targeted a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. No American personnel were harmed, the command confirmed in a statement.

Iranian state media earlier confirmed that one of its tankers had been hit off the coast of Kharg Island. Centcom described the three tankers as "part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies."

"We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet," Centcom said in its statement.

Escalating Conflict Since February

The strikes are the latest escalation in a conflict that began when the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, prompting Iranian counter-attacks on Israel, US bases and allied Gulf states. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to marine traffic in response, driving up global energy prices.

A 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran formally expired last month, with no diplomatic settlement in sight. The conflict over the strait has raised energy prices globally, and with US midterm elections approaching in November, President Trump faces increasing pressure over the cost of the war to American consumers.

Civilian Casualties Dispute

Separately, US Vice-President JD Vance said earlier this week that the US military was investigating Iranian claims that American strikes had killed at least four people, including two children. Iranian humanitarian group the Red Crescent Society said shrapnel from a missile struck a home ceremony in Sirik on Tuesday. Tehran declared the incident a "war crime," which the US denied.