Tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate. The US military has claimed that it destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers in retaliation for attempts by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to target a US naval vessel with ballistic missiles on two separate occasions. This US action followed two attempts by the IRGC to target a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles over the past two days. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US warship successfully thwarted both missile attacks and continued its operations in regional waters. No US personnel were injured in the incident.
CENTCOM stated that US forces targeted five vessels linked to the IRGC’s alleged oil-smuggling network. These included the M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco, which were targeted in the Gulf of Oman, while action was taken against the M/T Derya near Iran’s Kharg Island. According to the US military, the crews were ordered to abandon the ships before the strikes; the tankers were subsequently rendered inoperable.
US Alleges Operation of a ‘Shadow Fleet’
CENTCOM has accused Iran of funneling financial support to the IRGC and its regional proxy groups through an alleged “shadow fleet” network worth billions of dollars. According to the US command, these tankers are used to transport oil illegally and channel the resulting revenue to the IRGC.
Action Taken Against Three Tankers on September 5 as Well
This is not the first such action by the US. CENTCOM noted that US forces had also destroyed three Iranian crude oil tankers on September 5. The US military alleged that, prior to that, the IRGC had attempted to target a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. CENTCOM states that all recent attacks or attempted attacks by Iran on US naval vessels have failed.
Contrasting claim by Iranian media
However, Iranian state media has reported details that differ from the US claim. According to reports, two Iranian oil tankers were damaged in recent attacks—one near Jask and the other near Kharg Island. Iranian reports state that the crews of both vessels were safely evacuated and no casualties have been reported.
