CENTCOM Destroys 3 IRGC Oil Tankers After Iran Targets 2 U.S. Navy Warships
On September 5, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), headquartered in Tampa, Florida, said U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers that day, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.
According to CENTCOM, a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple attacks and no American personnel were harmed. In response, American forces permanently disabled the IRGC crude carrier M/T Downy off Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. The unladen crude carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman, struck in multiple critical locations after its crew was directed to abandon ship.
CENTCOM said the three tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow oil network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. "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, the CENTCOM commander, adding that U.S. forces would not hesitate to defend American forces and, if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.
Source: U.S. Central Command
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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