US strikes 3 Iran oil tankers after warships targeted

The U.S. military struck and disabled three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in retaliation for Iran launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that American forces successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks, and no U.S. personnel were harmed. According to CENTCOM, two of the targeted Iranian crude oil carriers, identified as the MT Downy near Kharg Island and the MT Stark 1 near Jask, were permanently disabled. A third vessel, the unladen MT Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, was completely destroyed after its crew was directed to abandon ship. CENTCOM described the tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network used to fund Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional proxies. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, issued a clear warning following the strikes: "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." He added that the U.S. military would not hesitate to defend American forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran's oil fleet.