US leaves 3 Iranian oil tankers 'permanently disabled' after Iranian regime targets American ships with ballistic missiles

The US has struck Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired missiles at an aircraft carrier as well as a guided-missile destroyer. The US warships were not struck in the attack, and there were no US injuries.

Authorities posted a statement from CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper that said: “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. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet."

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth added, "It’s simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy. Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all."

CENTOM said that the three tankers were left "permanently disabled," and that the vessels were rendered "inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship."

The Revolutionary Guard had said that it attacked multiple US vessels and had "targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorized route of the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America in other areas," per CBS News.

The conflict between the US and Iran has been going on since Trump ordered strikes in Tehran in late February earlier this year. The Iranian military has been heavily degraded, and economic sanctions have collapsed the currency in the country.