US Navy Hits Three Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Missile Attack

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that American forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, including one positioned off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal. The military action was a direct response to an attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy vessels.

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, issued a stark warning following the operation: "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." CENTCOM also confirmed that no American personnel were harmed in the exchange.

Iranian state media, citing local sources, reported that four U.S. missiles struck a tanker in the anchorage area near Kharg. These reports indicated there were no casualties and that the vessel's crew was being evacuated. There has been no immediate official statement from the Iranian government regarding the incident.

The strikes mark a significant escalation in a conflict that began with U.S. operations against Iran in February. The ongoing hostilities have severely disrupted global energy markets, with Brent crude futures closing at $96.28 a barrel on Friday, their highest level since late July.

The strategic importance of Kharg Island has been a focal point of tensions. President Donald Trump recently posted a social media message suggesting the island was being "blown to smithereens," while Tehran has vowed a strong response to any attack on the facility. Before the war, Iran, a major OPEC producer, exported 90% of its crude through Kharg. However, these flows have been hampered by a U.S. naval blockade implemented in mid-April, which followed Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously carried a fifth of the world's oil supply.