United States Central Command confirmed on Tuesday that American naval and air forces destroyed five commercial oil tankers linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, responding to escalating missile strikes directed at U.S. naval assets.
According to Pentagon operational briefings from Washington, the maritime kinetic strikes were authorized after guided-missile destroyers operating in regional choke points successfully intercepted multiple anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Iranian coastal batteries. Pentagon officials stated that the targeted crude carriers were actively participating in illicit energy smuggling networks funding regional paramilitary activities.
U.S. defense officials affirmed that prior warnings were broadcast to allow merchant crews to abandon the vessels before precision munitions neutralized the tankers. The strikes represent one of the most severe direct confrontations between Washington and Tehran in strategic sea lanes in recent decades, sparking immediate emergency alerts across commercial shipping registries.
The United States reiterated its commitment to defending freedom of navigation and protecting coalition naval personnel operating under international maritime mandates. International maritime bodies issued urgent advisories instructing merchant shipping vessels to exercise maximum caution and maintain elevated security postures throughout the Strait of Hormuz.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-military-says-it-destroyed-five-iranian-oil-tankers-tehran-hits-back-at-american-targets-in-jordan/article71445527.ece/amp/