U.S. military destroys five Iranian oil tankers linked to IRGC

The U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday that U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after Iranian forces attempted missile launches against U.S. Navy warships in the Gulf region. The operation, described as a direct response to the hostile missile activity, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime tension between the two nations.

According to Centcom, the targeted vessels included the IRGC‑affiliated crude carriers M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1 and M/T Riesco, with a fifth tanker also disabled during the same engagement. The U.S. military said the action neutralized the immediate threat to its ships and disrupted the IRGC’s ability to transport oil. The incident underscores the heightened risk of confrontations in the strategically vital Gulf waterways and signals continued U.S. readiness to counter perceived Iranian aggression.