US Central Command struck three Iranian oil tankers on September 5, 2026, targeting vessels linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after ballistic missiles were launched at two US Navy warships in the region, officials said [1, 2, 3]. Two tankers were permanently disabled—one near Kharg Island and another near Jask—while a third unladen tanker was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman [1, 2, 3, 4].
No US personnel were harmed in the missile attacks, with the US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evading multiple IRGC ballistic missiles, according to US Central Command [1, 2, 3]. The struck tankers were part of a shadow network financing the Revolutionary Guards and their regional proxy groups [2, 3].
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, warned Iran saying, "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. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet" [1].
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed they had retaliated by targeting three oil tankers on unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz and attacked three US-affiliated vessels, in addition to striking a US naval drone on September 6 attempting to enter the Strait [3, 5, 6, 7]. Iranian state media reported the crew of the tanker struck off Kharg Island survived and was evacuated without casualties [1, 2, 8]. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced the US strikes as "illegal and aggressive actions by Washington" [5].
The US and Iran have seen escalating tensions since February, with failed negotiations disrupting regional energy supplies and increasing conflict risk [1, 2, 8]. Despite conflicting Iranian claims that US warships suffered damage and were forced to retreat, US Central Command maintained all missile attacks were evaded with no injuries [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10].
The situation remains tense following the exchanges. US Central Command affirmed it will continue to target Iranian oil tankers linked to the IRGC if attacks on US forces persist [1, 2].
