TAMPA, Fla. (UrbanCast: 9/5/2026) — U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers Saturday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted two U.S. Navy warships with ballistic missiles.
U.S. Central Command announced the strikes on Sept. 5 and released video showing portions of the operation.
According to CENTCOM, the IRGC launched ballistic missiles toward two American warships patrolling regional waters.
A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded the attacks, CENTCOM said. No American personnel were harmed.
Following the attempted attacks, American forces struck three crude oil carriers that CENTCOM linked to the IRGC.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island. They also disabled the M/T Stark 1 near Jask.
American forces completely destroyed a third vessel, the M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM said the Kylo was not carrying crude oil when it was struck. The military said its crew was directed to abandon ship before U.S. forces hit the vessel in several critical locations.
The U.S. military described the three tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the response was intended to impose an economic cost on Iran following the attacks.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said.
Cooper also issued a broader warning.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” Cooper said.
CENTCOM released video it identified as footage of U.S. forces striking the three Iranian crude oil carriers.
UrbanCast Note: Details concerning the Iranian attacks, the tankers’ connections to the IRGC and the sequence of military actions are based on the official U.S. Central Command account. UrbanCast has not independently verified those battlefield claims.
PRIMARY SOURCE: U.S. Central Command — CENTCOM Destroys 3 IRGC Oil Tankers After Iran Targets 2 U.S. Navy Warships
