Iran-Krieg: US-Militär: Angegriffener iranischer Öltanker versenkt

An Iranian oil tanker was sunk by U.S. military forces in the Gulf of Oman, according to the U.S. military. The sinking of the "M/T Kylo" tanker was attributed to the "precision and professionalism" of U.S. soldiers, the responsible U.S. regional command Centcom announced on the messaging platform X in the night. The tanker was not carrying any oil.

A published U.S. military video clip initially showed the struck ship from the stern, then it went under. The U.S. military had already reported on Saturday three Iranian oil tankers attacked. The "M/T Kylo" tanker had been hit at several crucial points to render it inoperable, the military said. The crew had been instructed to abandon ship beforehand, it was reported.

The military claims could not be independently verified initially. Iran retaliates against U.S. warships The U.S. military claims the attacks were retaliation for "several" attacks by Iranians on American warships in the region. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards reportedly fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a destroyer, which had the opportunity to evade, but no casualties were reported, Centcom announced.

Iranian media also reported the attacks on the U.S. warships, which led to their evasion, according to Teheran's interpretation. The admission of the attacks by Centcom shows the offensive strength of the Revolutionary Guards and the failure of the American aggressors, the news agency Tasnim reported. Iran's claims on the consequences of the attacks could not be independently verified either.

A U.S. attack on tankers in front of the strategically important island Kharg in the Persian Gulf, a major export hub for Iranian crude oil, had already been reported by the U.S. military. The other two attacked tankers were found to be permanently inoperable after the shelling, it was reported. Kharg is the main port for Iran's crude oil exports, accounting for more than 90 percent of the country's exports, which are the main source of revenue for the government in Tehran.

Currently, Iran can hardly export oil due to a U.S. sea blockade. In retaliation, Iran has launched attacks and threats to block the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil, liquefied natural gas, and fertilizer exports from Gulf countries. After the attacks on Saturday, Centcom commander Brad Cooper warned the Revolutionary Guards: "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose even higher economic costs on you by sinking three of your ships."

The U.S. Department of Defense remains committed to destroying Iran's limited and unprotected oil fleet despite the numerical disadvantage. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, six months into the war, said the blockade of Iranian oil ports was functioning as planned, with Iran unable to export oil at the moment. "We will choke the regime," he stated in reference to Iran's Islamic Republic government.