The U.S. military announced it has destroyed five oil tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil in response to ballistic missile attacks aimed at its naval vessels.
According to reports from the AP and others on September 8, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to strike U.S. Navy ships with ballistic missiles on two occasions over the past two days, prompting the destruction of the five tankers.
CENTCOM explained that the U.S. warships, which were targeted, continued their patrols in the area after evading the missiles, and there were no casualties among U.S. personnel.
The vessels struck by the U.S. included the Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1, and Riesco, all located in the Gulf of Oman, as well as the Derya, near the key Iranian oil export hub of Harg Island. CENTCOM indicated that it had instructed the crew members to evacuate the ships before the strikes, rendering them inoperable.
This attack comes just three days after the U.S. military targeted three Iranian tankers. On September 5, CENTCOM reported that the IRGC fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, leading to the disabling of the Downy and Stark 1 near Harg Island and the destruction of the Kylo-Noxen in the Gulf of Oman. At that time, there were also no casualties among U.S. personnel.
Iran has issued warnings of further retaliation. The IRGC, through state media, cautioned crew members of tankers near the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain to evacuate immediately, stating that these vessels could be targeted. Iran claims that the two countries are hosting U.S. forces and assisting in American attacks.
As tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate, international oil prices are also under upward pressure. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose to $99.46 per barrel on September 8, nearing the $100 mark. The U.S. and Iran continue to exert military and economic pressure over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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