WASHINGTON: Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Saturday after the US military said it struck three Iranian crude-oil tankers following missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two US Navy warships.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer avoided several attacks launched by Iranian forces. No US personnel were reported injured in the incident.
According to CENTCOM, US forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy near Iran’s Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 close to Jask. American forces also struck the empty M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman, rendering the vessel inoperable after its crew was ordered to leave the ship.
The US military described the tankers as part of an alleged network connected to the financing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its regional allies.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper warned that Washington would continue taking action against Iranian maritime assets if American forces came under attack.
Iranian Tanker Reportedly Hit Near Kharg Island
Iranian semi-official media outlet Tasnim reported that an oil tanker near Kharg Island had been targeted by US forces.
The report said there were no immediate casualties and that the vessel’s crew was being evacuated. The incident occurred near Kharg Island, a strategically important hub for Iran’s oil exports.
The latest exchange represents another escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with maritime traffic and oil shipments increasingly caught up in the conflict.
IRGC Denies Attack on Isfahan Nuclear Facilities
Separately, an IRGC unit in Iran’s Isfahan province rejected reports circulating online that US forces had attacked nuclear facilities in the area.
The Imam Sahib al-Zaman Corps described the reports as false and accused hostile actors of spreading misinformation to create public anxiety and disrupt social stability.
The denial came amid heightened tensions and a flood of competing claims concerning military operations inside Iran.
Trump Defends US Military Campaign
US President Donald Trump has also pushed back against criticism of Washington’s military campaign against Iran.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised Democrats and other opponents, accusing them of wanting the United States to lose the conflict rather than allowing his administration to prevail.
Also Read: Senate Blocks Resolution Limiting Trump’s Military Authority on Iran
Trump has separately rejected reports that the fighting is placing significant pressure on US ammunition supplies.
He said the United States has extensive stocks of military ammunition and is producing munitions at exceptionally high levels. Trump also indicated that Washington was prioritising its own military requirements before resuming weapons sales to allied countries.
Conflict Raises Maritime and Energy Concerns
The latest confrontation has increased concerns over the security of commercial shipping and energy supplies in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters remain particularly sensitive because of their importance to global oil transportation. Recent disruptions have already contributed to concerns about energy markets and the ability of vessels to safely move through the region.
The exchange of attacks between US and Iranian forces marks another dangerous development in the broader conflict and raises the possibility of further military and economic retaliation from both sides.
