US says it destroyed three Iran-linked oil tankers; Tehran warns of harsher strikes

U.S. Central Command announced on Saturday that it had struck and disabled three oil tankers it identified as belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The vessels – M/T Downy near Kharg Island, M/T Stark 1 off Jask and the unladen carrier M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman – were hit in multiple locations, rendering them inoperable and prompting crews to abandon ship.

Iranian state media quoted the Khatam al-Anbiya central command, saying that if the United States continues what it described as a naval blockade and harassment of Iranian shipping, Tehran will respond with more severe strikes on U.S. military vessels in the region.

No official comment was received from either side regarding the specific incidents, and no casualties were reported.

The developments come amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Gulf region, where both nations have exchanged accusations of unprovoked attacks on shipping.