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U.S. strikes 3 Iranian oil tankers after Iran targets Navy warships, military says
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers—M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo—after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships, with no American casualties reported.
- The M/T Kylo, not carrying oil at the time, was evacuated before being targeted, and the strikes aimed to impose a higher economic cost on Iran in response to the missile attacks.
- CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper emphasized the U.S. commitment to defending its forces and warned of further actions against Iran’s oil fleet if provoked.
- Iran condemned the U.S. strikes as illegal and aggressive, accusing Washington of waging economic war and violating international law, while highlighting the strategic importance of Kharg Island to its oil industry.
- Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports and military defenses, has been a recurring flashpoint, with previous U.S. strikes targeting military infrastructure but sparing oil facilities until now.
