Iran’s ruling government still hasn’t gotten the message that President Donald Trump is committed to squeezing them literally to death if they continue to balk at making a peace deal that includes never building a nuclear weapon.
U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that American forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships operating in regional waters.
Advertisement
“A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks. No American personnel were harmed,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
“Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask,” CENTCOM also said.
Advertisement
“American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo (also known as the “Noxen”) in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship,” the command added.
CENTCOM said a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks and that no American personnel were injured.
Advertisement
CENTCOM described the three tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar network used to generate revenue for the IRGC and its regional proxies.
The command said the strikes were intended to impose an economic cost on Tehran following the missile attacks.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.
“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”
The strikes mark another escalation in the renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran, which has included a series of attacks and counterattacks across the region in recent days.
It released a video showing each vessel suffering explosions.
U.S. Central Command says U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers on Sept. 5 after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships operating in the region.
CENTCOM said an aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple Iranian attacks… https://t.co/4iSJ0iooN8 pic.twitter.com/GvwKEnZQc8
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 5, 2026
Advertisement
A U.S. official told Fox News after the strikes that targeting the tankers could place additional pressure on Iran by hitting assets tied directly to its oil-dependent economy.
The official argued that the IRGC cannot easily replace the vessels, potentially making each loss increasingly costly for Tehran.
The strikes came as U.S. officials continued warning Americans across the Middle East to remain alert amid the renewed confrontation with Iran.
Advertisement
The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain was among several diplomatic missions in the region that issued security guidance this week urging Americans to “exercise heightened vigilance” because of the possibility of further escalation, flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
The State Department has also warned that Iran and groups aligned with Tehran could target U.S. interests overseas, including locations associated with Americans, as military exchanges between Washington and Tehran continue.
“Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. The U.S. Embassy reminds American citizens that Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure in Bahrain, including hotels in Manama,” the embassy said.
“U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions,” it added.
Advertisement
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called on the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations Saturday to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
The matter surfaced in a phone call between Abdelatty and his Omani counterpart, according to Egypt’s foreign ministry.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
