US strikes three Iranian oil tankers after IRGC attack on American naval ships, Central Command says

On September 5, U.S. Central Command announced that their forces had attacked three Iranian oil tankers, one of which was located off the coast of Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub near Iran. The strikes occurred in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships earlier in the day.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, emphasized to the IRGC that their actions would incur a higher economic cost. According to Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency, four U.S. missiles hit a tanker in the vicinity of Kharg's anchorage, with no reported casualties and the crew being evacuated. No American personnel were harmed in the exchange of attacks.

As of now, Iran has not officially commented on the incident. The incident is part of a recent escalation threatening to intensify a conflict that began with U.S. strikes on Iran in February, impacting global energy supplies and facing opposition from many Americans ahead of congressional elections in November. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously suggested that Kharg Island would be "blown to smithereens."

Iran, the third-largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, relies on Kharg Island for exporting 90% of its crude, although exports have been hindered by a U.S. blockade starting in mid-April. Despite Trump's desire to take over Kharg Island, a military operation was ruled out prior to the signing of an interim agreement between Tehran and Washington on June 17.

An attack on Kharg Island could further strain Iran's oil industry and economy, already struggling under the U.S. naval blockade. The blockade was imposed following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway carrying one-fifth of the world's oil supply before the conflict. Brent crude futures rose to their highest level since July 24 at $96.28 a barrel on Friday, driven by Middle East tensions and fears of global supply disruptions.