Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Warships; U.S. Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers

The United States struck in the area of Iran's "oil islands" today (Shabbat), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The statement said that three Iranian crude oil tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz. The tankers allegedly attempted to violate the maritime blockade imposed on Iran and export oil to other countries.

According to the American statement, the strike was preceded by an Iranian attack on U.S. warships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea. The U.S. military said that Iran fired several missiles at an aircraft carrier and a U.S. warship. An aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer were able to evade the Iranian attacks, and none of the American crew members were injured.

CENTCOM elaborated: "Following Iran's failed attacks, we permanently disabled the crude oil tanker 'Doni' off the coast of Kharg, the 'Stark 1' near the coast of Jask Island, and the empty tanker Kilo in the Gulf of Oman. The forces struck the vessels at several critical points to disable them, after the crews were ordered to abandon ship. The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow fleet that funds the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies. Iran has no means of protecting them."

"The message to the Revolutionary Guards is clear: If you fire at two of our ships, we will impose an even greater economic cost on you; we will disable three of your ships," said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM. "We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, we will destroy Iran's limited and vulnerable oil fleet."

Iran's Fars news agency confirmed that explosions were heard on Kharg Island, known as the Islamic Republic's "oil island." According to reports by local sources to SNN, "an Iranian oil tanker was hit near the island by a missile launched by U.S. forces." It was reported that the vessel was small and that there were no casualties. 

Later that evening, Arab media reported missile launches from Iran toward a tanker sailing in the Strait of Hormuz. No further details were reported. Iranian media quoted an official from the Revolutionary Guards who stressed: "If the American blockade is not lifted, the attacks on their ships will be more severe."