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

On Saturday, the US Central Command announced that American forces had attacked three Iranian oil tankers, including one off the coast of Kharg Island near Iran's primary oil export hub. This strike occurred following Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launching ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, warned Iran that their actions would result in significant economic repercussions, stating, "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours."

According to Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency, four US missiles struck a tanker near Kharg Island's anchorage. No injuries were reported, with local sources confirming that the tanker's crew was being evacuated and no American personnel were harmed. As of now, Iran has not officially commented on the incident. This incident comes after a series of escalations over the past week, which could potentially deepen a conflict that has been ongoing since the US initiated strikes on Iran in February.

This action has disrupted global energy supplies and has faced opposition from a majority of Americans prior to the November congressional elections. Initially, President Trump threatened to attack Kharg Island via a social media post on August 31, followed by an AI-generated video. Iran has pledged a strong response should Kharg Island be targeted, highlighting the significance of the island as a crucial component of Iran's oil industry, which previously exported 90% of its crude through Kharg Island.

However, due to a US blockade of Iranian oil exports since mid-April, oil flows have been disrupted. Trump had also expressed interest in seizing control of Kharg Island on June 11, but later dismissed the threat of a US military operation there, days before Iran and the US reached an interim agreement aimed at ending the war on June 17.

The US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that once allowed one-fifth of the world's oil supply to pass through before the war. Brent crude futures prices reached their highest level since July 24, closing at $96.28 a barrel, driven by concerns over global supply due to Middle Eastern tensions.