3 IRGC Oil Tankers Destroyed After Missile Attack on US Warships
US Central Command permanently disabled or destroyed three crude oil carriers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps across strategic Gulf shipping channels on Saturday. Global energy markets and commercial maritime operators face heightened operational risks following the direct naval confrontation between American and Iranian forces.
CENTCOM Strikes M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo Across Three Gulf Locations
American forces targeted the unladen crude carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it completely destroyed after directing its crew to abandon ship. CENTCOM forces also permanently disabled the IRGC-linked M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, acting after Iranian military forces launched ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. American warships successfully evaded the Iranian missile barrage, and CENTCOM reported no casualties among US personnel.
The military retaliatory action follows a series of naval encounters in the region, where CENTCOM forces have maintained active security escorts for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
