US Military Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Missile Attacks on Navy Warships

A screengrab released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on X depicts what CENTCOM describes as US military forces striking an Iranian crude oil tanker, M/T Kylo (also known as the 'Noxen'), in the Gulf of Oman on September 5, 2026.

The United States military announced it has struck three Iranian oil tankers following an attack in which Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships operating in regional waters. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks on Saturday.

CENTCOM stated that its military operation targeting the Iranian oil carriers was a direct response to the IRGC firing ballistic missiles toward the two US warships while they were patrolling regional waters. Officials confirmed that no personnel sustained injuries during the incident.

The US strikes successfully hit Iranian oil tankers located in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran’s Kharg island. The US military disabled two Iranian crude oil carriers and destroyed a third vessel, targeting ships that it alleges form part of a multibillion-dollar network financing the IRGC and its regional proxies.

“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,” stated CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper. He added, “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

CENTCOM did not immediately provide further details regarding whether the strikes on the tankers resulted in any casualties. These military actions occurred a day after US President Donald Trump characterized the ongoing conflict—which has caused the deaths of 18 US service members and an increase in global energy prices—as “small potatoes”. Both nations have continued attempts to inflict economic and military damage upon one another, with diplomatic negotiations having collapsed to end the six-month war initiated by the US and Israel. Almost a week prior, the US and Iran exchanged attacks following a month-long period without direct confrontations.