US says it struck three Iranian oil tankers
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that American forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to its information, launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy ships. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.
CENTCOM statement
According to the command, a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer avoided several Iranian attacks. CENTCOM also said that there were no casualties among US personnel.
US forces, CENTCOM claimed, permanently disabled the tanker M/T Downy near Khark Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. The tanker M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to leave the vessel, according to the command.
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US command's assessment
CENTCOM claims that these vessels were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxy structures. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that if US ships are attacked, the United States is prepared to impose higher economic costs on Iran. He also said that the US would not hesitate to defend its forces and, if necessary, destroy what he described as Iran's limited and vulnerable oil fleet.
According to Anadolu Agency, tensions in the region have intensified since the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation was suspended because of disagreements over security arrangements in the strait.
