(SANTCOM) announces the destruction of three Iranian tankers after targeting two US warships

Washington, Sept 5 (KUNA) -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces targeted three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday following the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) launch of ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships conducting patrols in regional waters. In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, CENTCOM said that a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unjustified Iranian attacks, confirming that no U.S. personnel were injured. It added that, following the failed Iranian attacks, U.S. forces completely disabled two IRGC-owned crude oil tankers, the MT Dawn, off the coast of Kharg Island, and the MT Stark 1, near the port of Jask. U.S. forces also completely destroyed the empty crude oil tanker MT Kailo in the Gulf of Oman after striking several critical locations to render it inoperable, following orders for its crew to abandon ship. CENTCOM noted that the three Iranian oil tankers are part of a secret network valued at billions of dollars that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies, emphasizing that Iran lacks the means to defend them. The statement quoted CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper as saying, “The message to the IRGC must be clear: you fired at our ships, and we have imposed a greater economic cost on you by targeting three of your vessels.” Cooper affirmed that the United States “will not hesitate to defend its forces... and, if necessary, destroy the entire exposed and limited Iranian oil fleet.” (End) A.M.M. A.M.S.