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

**U.S. Navy Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers Following IRGC Attack on American Warships**

Washington announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Navy destroyed three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missile and drone attacks against two American surface combatants earlier in the day. The strikes, carried out by naval aviation assets operating from the USS *Nimitz* carrier strike group, targeted the vessels — the *Al‑Barkat*, *Al‑Ghadir* and *Al‑Khalid* — which were identified as civilian tankers transporting crude oil for Iran. According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the tankers were "engaged in support of hostile actions" and were struck to deter further aggression and protect U.S. forces in the region.

The IRGC’s assault, which involved a salvo of anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial systems, was reported to have missed its intended targets but caused temporary disruptions to the warships’ operations. U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, condemned the attack as an unjustified escalation and affirmed that the response was proportionate and limited to the three vessels directly linked to the hostile act. No U.S. personnel were injured, and the Navy reported that the tankers were rendered inoperable without loss of life among their crews, who were safely evacuated and taken aboard U.S. ships for medical evaluation.

Iran’s foreign ministry responded by labeling the U.S. strikes as "illegal aggression" and vowed to retaliate, warning that any further American actions would be met with "decisive" measures. The incident marks the most serious naval confrontation between the two nations since the 2019 downing of a U.S. drone in the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over the security of critical oil shipping lanes that handle a substantial share of global energy supplies. Diplomatic channels remain open, with both sides urging restraint while international observers call for de‑escalation to prevent broader regional conflict.