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Washington: US Central Command (Centcom) has released video footage showing an Iranian oil tanker engulfed in flames before sinking in the Gulf of Oman, warning Iran that any attack on US warships would invite a significantly higher economic cost going forward.
Tanker M/T Kylo Sunk After Iranian Missile Strikes on US Warships
According to Centcom, the M/T Kylo was one of three Iranian crude oil carriers targeted by US forces on Saturday, local time, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships operating in regional waters. In a post on X, Centcom identified the vessel as the M/T Kylo, stating that thanks to the precision and professionalism of American service members, the tanker had sunk in the Gulf of Oman and joined Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea.
Aircraft Carrier and Destroyer Evade Iranian Strikes
Centcom said a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian strikes during the confrontation, with no American personnel injured in the incident.
Two Additional Tankers Also Disabled or Destroyed
The US military said it had permanently disabled the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, while the M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after being struck at multiple critical locations. Centcom stated that the crew had been directed to abandon ship before the vessel was rendered inoperable.
US War Secretary Warns of Retaliation Against Iranian Tankers
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth subsequently warned Iran that Washington would target its oil tankers if Iranian forces attacked US Navy ships, stating plainly on X that if Iran fired on US ships, Washington would destroy and sink their oil tankers, and that Iran needed only to refrain from shooting at the US Navy. He added that Iran’s oil tanker fleet remains defenceless given the absence of an Iranian navy or air force, asserting that US planes, ships and submarines could strike them across both Centcom and Pacific Command regions.
Centcom Says Tankers Funded IRGC Network
Centcom said the three targeted tankers formed part of a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” funding the IRGC and its regional proxies. Centcom commander Brad Cooper said that if Iran struck two US ships, the US would impose an even higher economic cost by taking out three of Iran’s own vessels.
Iran Condemns Strikes as Violation of UN Charter
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of the UN Charter and asserting that they constitute a war crime. The ministry stated that these actions represent a continuation of US military aggression against Iran and form part of the ongoing naval blockade and economic warfare imposed on the Islamic Republic, calling them a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and a threat to international peace, security and maritime trade.
