US destroys 5 Iranian oil carriers after missile attack on warship

US CENTCOM forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in retaliation after the IRGC targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles. Iran's IRGC claims it launched its own missile strikes against a US airbase in Jordan and two Navy destroyers.

US Retaliates, Destroys Iranian Oil Carriers

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in the Middle East on Tuesday, noting them as retaliatory strikes after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted an American Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over a 48-hour period.

According to a statement by CENTCOM, the targeted American warship successfully evaded both attempted missile strikes and suffered no personnel injuries or operational damage, remaining on active patrol in regional waters. "U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 8, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. The U.S. warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed," the statement read.

CENTCOM stated that in response to the attempted attacks by Iran, US forces conducted coordinated strikes against five vessels belonging to Iran's state-linked maritime fleet. Four crude oil carriers, the M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco, were destroyed in the Gulf of Oman, while a fifth vessel, the M/T Derya, was hit near Kharg Island. It added that US forces issued direct instructions commanding the crews of all five vessels to evacuate prior to the strikes "In response to Iran’s most recent failed attacks, CENTCOM destroyed the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman as well as M/T Derya near Kharg Island. American forces directed the crews to abandon ship before the vessels were struck and rendered inoperable," CENTCOM stated.

The US military command emphasised that the targeted fleet operates as a primary financial mechanism for Tehran's security apparatus, identifying the vessels as "part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies." "Iran has no means by which to defend these vessels," it stated.

Tuesday's action marks the second major operation against Iranian maritime infrastructure within three days. "On Sept. 5, CENTCOM forces destroyed three Iranian crude oil carriers after the IRGC tried to attack a U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer. All IRGC attempts against U.S. Navy warships have failed," CENTCOM noted.

IRGC Claims Counter-Strikes on US Bases and Warships

On the other hand, Iran's IRGC launched ballistic missile strikes against a US military airbase in Jordan and two American Navy destroyers, according to state media reports. In an official statement carried by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC stated that the military operation, codenamed "Ya Haidar Karrar", was launched to avenge recent US attacks on Iranian oil tankers.

The IRGC confirmed that its forces targeted the US-operated Al-Azraq airbase in Jordan using liquid- and solid-fuel ballistic missiles. According to the statement, the strikes hit aircraft hangars and shelters housing F-35, F-16, and F-15 fighter jets. "In response to the aggressive actions and evil harassment of Iranian oil tankers and ships by the terrorist army of the Great Satan, the powerful aerospace force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... attacked the DDG-119 and DDG-53 combat destroyers carrying cruise and Aegis missiles with powerful ballistic missiles," the IRGC statement read. "As a result of this attack, significant damage was caused to these vessels," it added.

The IRGC added that its military operations will continue until all US attacks against Iranian shipping cease, warning Washington against any further actions in regional waters. "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran continue to declare their firm determination to respond to the desperate actions of the US regime and warn the enemy against any miscalculation," the statement added.

Regional Air Defences Activated

Regional air defences were activated across neighbouring countries as the missiles crossed regional airspace. According to Al Jazeera, Jordanian air defence units intercepted at least eight Iranian missiles over Amman and other cities. Al Jazeera also reported that multiple types of missiles were spotted near the Jordanian-Syrian border, while Syrian state television reported that Syria intercepted incoming Iranian missiles over the border city of Irbid.

Iran Claims Capture of US Unmanned Submersible

Earlier in the day, Iran’s IRGC Navy claimed that its forces had captured a US unmanned submersible at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz during a complex intelligence and operational operation. According to IRIB, the IRGC Navy said the submersible was equipped with the latest technology in the underwater field and was delivered to the US fleet in 2025. (ANI)

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