U.S. Striking Iranian Oil Tankers Following Missile Attacks on Navy Ships

U.S. military forces attacked three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday, responding to what Central Command (CENTCOM) described as ballistic missile launches by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against American warships in the region.

According to CENTCOM, one oil carrier was permanently disabled near Kharg Island, another was struck near Jask, and a third vessel was targeted in the Gulf of Oman. The command confirmed that a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple missile attacks, with no American personnel reported injured.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, issued a stark warning regarding the retaliation. “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said. He added, “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” There has been no immediate response from Iranian authorities regarding the strikes.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened conflict that has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies. Iran, the third-largest producer in OPEC, previously routed 90% of its crude exports through Kharg Island before the war. A U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April, further disrupting flows.

Prior to these strikes, President Donald Trump had threatened in June to seize Kharg Island and recently posted an AI-generated video on Aug. 31 depicting the island being destroyed, as U.S. military operations against Iran continued.

In a related development, the Treasury Department announced sanctions on Saturday against Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, a Turkish investment bank, and two of its subsidiaries. The U.S. accuses the institution of facilitating funds for an arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Treasury alleges the bank was established to allow Iran’s rahbar network to transfer oil revenues from China to Turkey, where they could be converted into cash and gold.

Golden Global Bank is the second major financial entity targeted under “Operation Economic Outcast,” a Trump administration initiative aimed at isolating Tehran by sanctioning its business partners through non-military means.