09/09/2026
U.S. Forces Destroy 5 Iranian Oil Tankers After Missile Strikes on American Warship
WASHINGTON — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers in retaliatory strikes following repeated ballistic missile attacks targeting a U.S. Navy warship in regional waters.
According to military officials, the U.S. warship successfully evaded two separate missile launches over a 48-hour period without suffering any damage or casualties. In response, U.S. forces carried out precision strikes against vessels affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), rendering them inoperable. Prior to conducting the strikes, U.S. personnel instructed the civilian crews on board to safely evacuate the tankers.
The targeted Iranian vessels included four operating in the Gulf of Oman and one stationed near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials emphasized that the operation aimed to defend U.S. forces and dismantle shadow networks funding regional aggression.
U.S. Central Command forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers following failed ballistic missile strikes against a U.S. Navy warship in the region. American officials reported no damage to U.S. vessels or injuries to personnel, confirming all civilian crews were ordered off the tankers before the strikes.