U.S. forces disable three Iranian oil tankers after IRGC missile launch

U.S. Central Command reported that on Saturday its forces hit three Iranian crude oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. The strikes disabled the M/T Downy off Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and completely destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman.

"A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks," the CENTCOM statement read.

"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," CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.

Iranian state news agency IRNA said Iranian officials would respond strongly to any attack, though no official comment was released from Tehran. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian media reported that a tanker near Kharg Island was hit by four projectiles from U.S. forces, with no casualties reported. Audio released by CNN captured a U.S. military aircraft warning the vessel, identified as the motor tanker Stark 1, to evacuate its stern before firing.

The incidents raise the risk of a broader shipping confrontation in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, where more than 50 Iranian tankers are reported to be anchored, many unable to leave due to the U.S. naval presence. U.S. Vice President JD Vance later declined to label the situation a war, noting there was no active shooting at that time.