Illustrative image. (U.S. Central Command)
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on September 5 that its forces had struck three Iranian crude oil carriers.
The strikes were carried out after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters, the command said in a statement, adding that the U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks and stressing that “no American personnel were harmed.”
According to CENTCOM, the strikes disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and Stark 1 near Jask.
American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier Kylo — also known as the “Noxen” — in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship, the command said.
It further claimed that the three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” that funds the IRGC and its regional allies.
“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,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”
Earlier in the day, Iranian state TV reported that a tanker was struck by four U.S. missiles some ten kilometers away from Kharg Island. It said there were no casualties. No other attacks were reported by the Islamic Republic’s media.
On September 1, CENTCOM struck two Iranian tankers as part of what a U.S. official described to Axios as a new “tanker for tanker” policy. That attack marked the first time the U.S. has targeted Iranian tankers in retaliation for attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than to prevent violations of an American naval blockade.
The latest strikes were likely also carried out in line with the “tanker for tanker” policy, despite CENTCOM reporting that it was a response to an attack on U.S. warships.
The new policy highlights U.S. failure to weaken Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Unable to degrade the military capabilities of the Islamic Republic, Washington is now attempting to deter it.
The policy could backfire as Iran retains the ability to target tankers owned by the U.S. and its allies in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and even beyond. Since the start of the war, the Islamic Republic has made it clear that it will always answer escalation with more escalation.
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iranian penetration achieved!
where are iran’s coward allies (russia & china)?
one word answer for you “beidou”!
with all the gun owners in the usa, none of them have the courage to oust the orange 🍊 🤡 but for some odd reason when they hear about their guns being taken away the get all angry 😠 smh.
if he had be a child, a woman, or his guard had have only bow and arrow, they had maybe give it a try. iran, russia and china do wrong now. sink the carriers, and end the nazis. now ! they can rot on the island of death and destruction, when their teeth are gone.